Word
hypoxia
Phoneticshy·pox·ia
US/haɪˈpɑksiə/
UK/haɪpˈɒksiə/
Definition
n. a medical condition where your body or a part of it does not get enough oxygen. This can cause your cells to stop working properly and can be very dangerous.
n. a pathological state in which an organ or tissue is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the cellular level. This can lead to cellular dysfunction and, if severe, to necrosis.
Examples
“The doctor explained that the patient's hypoxia was caused by a lung infection.”
“High-altitude climbers often experience hypoxia because the air contains less oxygen than at sea level.”
“Prolonged hypoxia in the brain can lead to irreversible neurological damage, making early detection and oxygen therapy critical in emergency medicine.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor explained that the patient's hypoxia was caused by a lung infection.”
contextual
“High-altitude climbers often experience hypoxia because the air contains less oxygen than at sea level.”
complex
“Prolonged hypoxia in the brain can lead to irreversible neurological damage, making early detection and oxygen therapy critical in emergency medicine.”
Real-World Examples
“The great ape, which was discovered by a farmer, was rescued and given emergency treatment for hypoxia, but later died.” “Amyloid-like fibrin microclots have been repeatedly reported in long COVID patients and linked to tissue hypoxia and neurocognitive symptoms.” Etymology
By surface analysis, hyp- + ox- + -ia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/hypoxia