hypoxia

[ hahy-pok-see-uh ]

noun

1. Biology. a very low level of oxygen, as in an organic environment:

   The fish have developed a tolerance to the hypoxia of the swamp.

2. Pathology. an abnormally low amount of oxygen in the body tissues: Compare anoxia ( def 2 ), hypoxemia.

   Premature newborns are routinely placed in incubators to treat or prevent hypoxia.

hypoxia

/ haɪˈpɒksɪə; haɪˈpɒksɪk /

noun

1. deficiency in the amount of oxygen delivered to the body tissues

Derived Forms

• hypoxic, adjective

Other Words From

• hy·pox·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypoxia¹

First recorded in 1940–45; hyp- ( def ) + oxy- ²( def ) + -ia ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypoxia¹

C20: from hypo- + oxy- ² + -ia

Example Sentences

The scientists note that climate change and pollution are combining to force marine ecosystems to experience unprecedented stressors including harmful algal blooms, ocean acidification and hypoxia.

From Science Daily

"A healthy gut has low oxygen. So, we repeated the test in a hypoxia setting," Bäumler said.

From Science Daily

“The State of Alabama is prepared to carry out the execution of Miller’s sentence by means of nitrogen hypoxia,” the attorney general’s office wrote in the February motion seeking the execution authorization.

From Seattle Times

Their blood acid levels may already have been spiking from drugs, adrenaline and pain while oxygen levels may have been plummeting — life-threatening conditions called acidosis and hypoxia.

From Seattle Times

They learned how to recognize symptoms of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, by experiencing it themselves in a low-pressure chamber.

From Seattle Times