Asphyxiation: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in medical or formal contexts to describe a condition where a person is deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.

• The victim died of asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Refers to a condition where breathing is impaired due to an obstruction or lack of air, and is commonly used in everyday language.

• The child almost suffocated after getting trapped in the storage chest

Used to describe situations where the neck is compressed, often by hands or a ligature, limiting airflow or blood flow. It has a negative, violent connotation.

• The detective concluded that the cause of death was strangulation

Used in everyday situations to refer to the obstruction of the airway, often by swallowing something that gets stuck in the throat.

• He started choking on a piece of steak at dinner

Typically used in a medical or technical context to describe the condition of being deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.

• The victim died of asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Refers to the act of being deprived of air or unable to breathe, often used in both accidental and intentional scenarios. It can cover a broader range of situations compared to 'asphyxiation'.

• She nearly died from suffocation after getting trapped under the rubble

Used mainly in a violent or criminal context to describe the act of severely constricting the neck, leading to asphyxia. It carries a negative connotation due to its association with violence.

• The detective concluded that the cause of death was strangulation

Often used in everyday language to describe the act of having an airway blocked, usually by food or a foreign object, causing difficulty in breathing.

• He started choking on a piece of steak and needed the Heimlich maneuver