noun
asphyxia
az-FIHK-see-uh
noun
1
A dangerous medical condition caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the body's tissues, which can lead to unconsciousness or death.
"The firefighters were treated for smoke-related asphyxia."
"Asphyxia can result from choking, drowning, or breathing in toxic gas."
How to Use Asphyxia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical emergency where the body is starved of oxygen, often from choking, drowning, or smoke inhalation.
Common mistake
Asphyxia is the medical condition itself; asphyxiation is the act or process of causing it.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
asphyxias plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “asphyxia”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The firefighters were treated for smoke-related _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek, literally meaning "stopping of the pulse."