What does "choking" mean?

1. (airway blockage) when your airway is blocked by food or an object, making it impossible to breathe. 2. (coughing or gasping) the act or sound of coughing or struggling to breathe.

How do you use "choking"?

often used as an uncountable noun to describe the medical emergency.

choking

US //ˈtʃoʊkɪŋ// UK //tʃˈəʊkɪŋ// chok·ing

1 airway blockage (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

when your airway is blocked by food or an object, making it impossible to breathe.

the physiological state or event of airway obstruction leading to asphyxia.

Example

The waiter saved a customer from choking by using the Heimlich maneuver.

Example

Choking remains a leading cause of accidental injury among toddlers, necessitating constant supervision during meal times.

Usage

often used as an uncountable noun to describe the medical emergency.
- asphyxiation
- suffocation
2 coughing or gasping (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act or sound of coughing or struggling to breathe.

the act of gasping or coughing convulsively due to a partial obstruction or irritation of the throat.

Example

A sudden fit of choking made it impossible for him to finish his sentence.

Example

The dusty air in the old attic brought on a bout of choking that forced the cleaners to step outside for fresh air.
- gasping
- strangling sound

Origin

By surface analysis, choke + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026