Choking: meaning, definitions and examples

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choking

[ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

first aid

The inability to breathe due to a blockage in the throat or windpipe.

Synonyms

strangulation, suffocation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
choking	applies when something is blocking the throat, making it difficult to breathe. It often happens while eating or drinking. He started choking on a piece of meat Make sure babies don’t have small objects to avoid choking hazards
suffocation	used when someone is unable to breathe due to lack of air or being covered with something, more general compared to choking or strangulation. He risked suffocation by staying in the smoke-filled room Suffocation is a danger in confined spaces with poor ventilation
strangulation	refers to a situation where the neck is being compressed, restricting airflow, often due to violence or accidents. It typically implies a deliberate act. The report said the victim died from strangulation Strangulation is a violent act that can be life-threatening

Word

Description / Examples

choking

applies when something is blocking the throat, making it difficult to breathe. It often happens while eating or drinking.

He started choking on a piece of meat
Make sure babies don’t have small objects to avoid choking hazards

suffocation

used when someone is unable to breathe due to lack of air or being covered with something, more general compared to choking or strangulation.

He risked suffocation by staying in the smoke-filled room
Suffocation is a danger in confined spaces with poor ventilation

strangulation

refers to a situation where the neck is being compressed, restricting airflow, often due to violence or accidents. It typically implies a deliberate act.

The report said the victim died from strangulation
Strangulation is a violent act that can be life-threatening

Examples of usage

A person may experience choking if a piece of food becomes lodged in their throat.
Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
It is important to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver in case someone is choking.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

informal

To have difficulty breathing, especially due to strong emotions or laughter.

Synonyms

gasp, wheeze.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
choking	Used when someone is unable to breathe properly because something is blocking their airway. He started choking on a piece of steak during dinner. The child began choking after swallowing a small toy.
gasp	Used when someone is struggling to breathe, often due to surprise, fear, or effort. She gasped when she saw the surprise party. After running the marathon, he was gasping for air.
wheeze	Used when someone is breathing with difficulty, often making a high-pitched whistling sound. It is frequently associated with conditions like asthma or bronchitis. He could hear his grandmother wheezing in the next room. The old man wheezed heavily as he climbed the stairs.

Word

Description / Examples

choking

Used when someone is unable to breathe properly because something is blocking their airway.

He started choking on a piece of steak during dinner.
The child began choking after swallowing a small toy.

gasp

Used when someone is struggling to breathe, often due to surprise, fear, or effort.

She gasped when she saw the surprise party.
After running the marathon, he was gasping for air.

wheeze

Used when someone is breathing with difficulty, often making a high-pitched whistling sound. It is frequently associated with conditions like asthma or bronchitis.

He could hear his grandmother wheezing in the next room.
The old man wheezed heavily as he climbed the stairs.

Examples of usage

She was choking with laughter at the comedian's jokes.
I was choking on my words as I tried to speak in front of the audience.

Interesting Facts

Health

Choking is a serious health risk and has been identified as a leading cause of accidental death in children.
The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid technique used to help someone who is choking by giving hard thrusts to their abdomen.

Prevention

Eating slowly and chewing food properly can help prevent choking.
Foods that are round or slippery, like grapes or hot dogs, are often the most dangerous for young children.

History

The term 'chokings' has been recognized in medical literature since the early 19th century, describing airway blockages.
Prior to modern understanding, choking was often mistaken for witchcraft or divine punishment in historical texts.

Pop Culture

Movies often dramatize choking scenes for suspense, but this can misrepresent the seriousness of the danger in real life.
Many comedians use choking as a physical joke, but it's important to remember it's a serious matter in reality.

Psychology

Some people may experience 'choking' under pressure in stressful situations, where they fail to perform as expected.
This term is often used in sports psychology to describe athletes who lose their performance-focused mindset.

Translations

Translations of the word "choking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 asfixia

🇮🇳 घुटन

🇩🇪 Erstickung

🇮🇩 tersedak

🇺🇦 удушення

🇵🇱 dławienie się

🇯🇵 窒息 (chissoku)

🇫🇷 étouffement

🇪🇸 asfixia

🇹🇷 boğulma

🇰🇷 질식 (jilsik)

🇸🇦 اختناق (ikhtinaq)

🇨🇿 dušení

🇸🇰 dusenie

🇨🇳 窒息 (zhìxī)

🇸🇮 zadušitev

🇮🇸 kæfing

🇰🇿 тұншығу

🇬🇪 გადახრჩობა

🇦🇿 boğulma

🇲🇽 asfixia

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,349, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14346 devoured
14347 occupier
14348 jargon
14349 choking
14350 acceptability
14351 incarceration
14352 beech
...