<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>a lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, caused by impaired respiration or insufficient oxygen in the air; suffocation.</li><li>The cause of death was severe asphyxiation, apparently from smoke inhalation.</li><li>the condition of being stifled or suffocated.</li><li>Peripheral countries, faced with economic asphyxiation, are being forced to sell access to their fishing banks for far less than they are worth.</li></ul>