Word
suffocation
Phoneticssuf·fo·ca·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌsəfəˈkeɪʃən/
UK/sˌʌfəkˈeɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the act of dying or nearly dying because you cannot breathe. It can also mean being trapped in a place where there is no air.
n. the act or process of dying or being deprived of oxygen. Often refers to physical obstruction of the airway or a lack of breathable atmosphere in an enclosed space.
Examples
“The thick smoke caused a feeling of suffocation.”
“Firefighters rescued the family from the basement before the rising water caused total suffocation.”
“The dense fog rolling in from the coast created a sense of suffocation, making it difficult for the hikers to navigate the narrow mountain pass.”
Examples
simple
“The thick smoke caused a feeling of suffocation.”
contextual
“Firefighters rescued the family from the basement before the rising water caused total suffocation.”
complex
“The dense fog rolling in from the coast created a sense of suffocation, making it difficult for the hikers to navigate the narrow mountain pass.”
Real-World Examples
“If not chewed but simply swallowed, the sticky mochi gets stuck in the throat - and can lead to suffocation.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English suffocation, suffocacioun, from Middle French suffocation, from Latin suffocatio.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/suffocation