suffocation

UK: /ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

suf•fo•cate /ˈsʌfəˌkeɪt/   v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 

1. Pathology to kill by preventing the passage of air; strangle:
   [~ + object] The plastic bag must have suffocated the baby.
2. Pathology to die in this manner;
   stifle;
   smother:
   [no object] The baby must have suffocated when the plastic bag went over its head.
3. to (cause to) be uncomfortable because of a lack of fresh air: [~ + object]
   This hot classroom is suffocating the students.
   [no object]
   We're all suffocating in this hot room.
4. to hold back, stifle, or suppress (freedom, creativity, etc.): [no object]
   The students are suffocating from the rigid discipline.
   [~ + object]
   The rigid discipline is suffocating the children's creativity and freedom.

suf•fo•ca•tion /ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

suf•fo•cate  (suf′ə kāt′), v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 
v.t. 

1. Pathology to kill by preventing the access of air to the blood through the lungs or analogous organs, as gills;
   strangle.
2. Pathology to impede the respiration of.
3. to discomfort by a lack of fresh or cool air.
4. to overcome or extinguish;
   suppress.

v.i. 

5. Pathology to become suffocated;
   stifle;
   smother.
6. to be uncomfortable due to a lack of fresh or cool air.

• Latin suffōcātus (past participle of suffōcāre to choke, stifle), equivalent. to suf- suf- + -fōc- (combining form of fauc-, stem of faucēs throat) + -ātus -ate¹
• 1520–30

suf′fo•cat′ing•ly, adv. 
suf′fo•ca′tion, n. 
suf′fo•ca′tive, adj.