First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
suffocate
verb suf·fo·cate \ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt\
: to die because you are unable to breathe
: to kill (someone) by making breathing impossible
: to be uncomfortable because there is not enough fresh air
suf·fo·cat·edsuf·fo·cat·ing
Full Definition of SUFFOCATE
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation) (2) : to deprive of oxygen b : to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air
2
: to impede or stop the development of
intransitive verb
1
: to become suffocated: a (1) : to die from being unable to breathe (2) : to die from lack of oxygen b : to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air
2
: to become checked in development
— suf·fo·ca·tion \ˌsə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
— suf·fo·ca·tive \ˈsə-fə-ˌkā-tiv\ adjective
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Origin of SUFFOCATE
Middle English, from Latin suffocatus, past participle of suffocare to choke, stifle, from sub- + fauces throat
Rhymes with SUFFOCATE
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SUFFOCATE Defined for Kids
suffocate
verb suf·fo·cate \ˈsə-fə-ˌkāt\
suf·fo·cat·edsuf·fo·cat·ing
Definition of SUFFOCATE for Kids
1
: to kill by stopping the breathing of or by depriving of oxygen to breathe
2
: to die from being unable to breathe
3
: to be or become choked or smothered <Weeds are suffocating the flowers we planted.>
4
: to suffer from lack of fresh air
Medical Dictionary
suffocate
verb suf·fo·cate \ˈsəf-ə-ˌkāt\
suf·fo·cat·edsuf·fo·cat·ing
Medical Definition of SUFFOCATE
transitive verb
1
: to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation)
2
: to deprive of oxygen
intransitive verb
: to die from being unable to breathe
—suf·fo·ca·tive \-ˌkāt-iv\ adjective
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