suf·fo·cate [suffocatesuffocatessuffocatedsuffocating] BrE [ˈsʌfəkeɪt] NAmE [ˈsʌfəkeɪt] verb 1. intransitive, transitive to die because there is no air to breathe; to kill sb by not letting them breathe air •Many dogs have suffocated in hot cars. •~ sb/sth 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. intransitive be suffocatingif it is suffocating, it is very hot and there is little fresh air •Can I open a window? It's suffocating in here! Derived Word: ↑suffocation Verb forms:
Word Origin: late 15th cent. (earlier (late Middle English) as suffocation): from Latin suffocat- ‘stifled’, from the verb suffocare, from sub- ‘below’ + fauces ‘throat’.
