Suffocation: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in general or medical contexts to describe the lack of oxygen leading to unconsciousness or death. Often refers to a condition without specifying the exact cause.

• The man was found dead due to suffocation
• Proper ventilation can prevent suffocation in confined spaces

Commonly used in medical contexts or formal writing to describe the process of dying from the lack of oxygen. Often indicates a more clinical or scientific explanation.

• The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning
• Asphyxiation can occur if someone is trapped in a fire

Usually describes an immediate, often accidental blockage of the airway by an object, food, or liquid. Suitable for casual or emergency descriptions.

• He started choking on a piece of meat, and someone had to perform the Heimlich maneuver
• It's important to chew food properly to avoid choking

Refers to the act of covering or suffocating someone, sometimes with a negative or violent connotation. Can be used in both literal and metaphorical senses.

• The villain attempted to smother the hero with a pillow
• She felt smothered by her overprotective parents

Suffocation is used when someone or something is being deprived of air and cannot breathe, typically referring to a more immediate and severe situation. Often used in emergencies or to describe a feeling of being overwhelmed.

• The child almost died from suffocation because of the plastic bag over his head.
• She felt a sense of suffocation in the crowded room.

Hypoxia is a medical term for a condition where the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. It is generally used in clinical or scientific contexts.

• Climbers can suffer from hypoxia at high altitudes due to lower oxygen levels.
• The patient's hypoxia was treated with supplemental oxygen in the hospital.

Oxygen deprivation refers to the lack of sufficient oxygen. It is a broader term that can be used in both medical and everyday situations.

• Exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to oxygen deprivation.
• The brain is very sensitive to oxygen deprivation.