/ ˈsʌfəkeɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
to die because there is no air to breathe; to kill sb by not letting them breathe air :
[ v ]
Many dogs have suffocated in hot cars.
[ vn ]
The couple were suffocated by fumes from a faulty gas fire.
He put the pillow over her face and suffocated her.
( figurative )
She felt suffocated by all the rules and regulations.
2.
[ v ] be suffocating if it is suffocating , it is very hot and there is little fresh air :
Can I open a window? It's suffocating in here!
► suf·fo·ca·tion / ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]:
to die of suffocation
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (earlier ( late Middle English ) as suffocation ): from Latin suffocat- stifled, from the verb suffocare , from sub- below + fauces throat.