hypoxic
adjective
hyp·ox·ic
hi-ˈpäk-sik
hī-
1
medical
: of, relating to, or affected with hypoxia : resulting from, causing, or experiencing inadequate levels of oxygen in the tissues and cells of the body
hypoxic cells
She was then transferred to Tufts Medical Center with hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy—abnormal brain function from oxygen deprivation—and seizures.—Rebecca Everett
At altitudes up to ten thousand feet, the mild hypoxic effects encountered do not materially deteriorate our flying ability …—Joseph W. Benkert
The Australian looks slightly hypoxic, as if he is finding the atmosphere up here in the Northern Hemisphere a trifle thin.—Craig S. Karpel
2
: characterized by reduced levels of dissolved oxygen
Hypoxic conditions, which occur when dissolved oxygen concentrations are less than 2 mg/L, can cause stress or death in bottom-dwelling organisms that cannot leave the zone.—Donald A. Goolsby
Also, the loss of herbivorous cichlids has contributed to colossal algae blooms in the lake, which suck oxygen from the water and create huge hypoxic zones.—Mark Jerome Walters
Cite this Entry
“Hypoxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypoxic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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