# suffocation

/ˌsəfəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /sˌʌfəkˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suffocation
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.