hypoxia

noun

hyp·​ox·​ia hi-ˈpäk-sē-ə How to pronounce hypoxia (audio) hī- How to pronounce hypoxia (audio)
: a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body

Examples of hypoxia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The primary cause of hypoxia is nitrogen pollution, which comes from a variety of sources including sewage treatment plants, storm water runoff and atmospheric conditions. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 The autopsy report also said the child had air in his lungs and that there was evidence of a hemorrhage consistent with hypoxia. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 On a genomic level, the researchers found sequences of genes that are typically seen in other high-altitude animals, such as genes adapted for hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 9 July 2026 The method of nitrogen hypoxia requires prisoners to breathe in the gas through an industrial-grade mask while strapped to a gurney and being deprived of oxygen. — Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypoxia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypoxia was in 1941

Rhymes for hypoxia

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Browse Nearby Words

hypoxemic
hypoxia
hypoxic
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Cite this Entry

“Hypoxia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypoxia. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

hypoxia

noun
hyp·​ox·​ia hip-ˈäk-sē-ə How to pronounce hypoxia (audio) hī-ˈpäk- How to pronounce hypoxia (audio)
: a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body
Mountain sickness is caused primarily by a lack of oxygen, or hypoxia. Atmospheric pressure decreases as one moves away from sea level, and because the percentage of oxygen in air remains constant, the concentration of oxygen is decreased. Lower levels of oxygen initiate a series of potentially fatal physiological changes.—Charles S. Houston, Scientific American

More from Merriam-Webster on hypoxia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypoxia

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