chokedamp: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low (Specialized)Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “chokedamp” mean?
A suffocating, oxygen-deficient atmosphere in a mine, typically containing carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A suffocating, oxygen-deficient atmosphere in a mine, typically containing carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
More broadly, can refer to any heavy, unbreathable atmosphere that causes suffocation, though this is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and equally archaic/specialized in both varieties. The term originates from British mining.
Connotations
Historical, dangerous, industrial, associated with mining disasters and pre-20th century safety standards.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language. May appear in historical texts, mining history, or safety literature.
Grammar
How to Use “chokedamp” in a Sentence
[The miners] feared [chokedamp] in [the deep seams].[Chokedamp] claimed [several lives] in [the accident].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chokedamp” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old tunnels were known to choke-damp unsuspecting workers.
- The shaft had chokedamped so quickly the rescue team was forced back.
American English
- The abandoned mine could still choke-damp a person in minutes.
- Reports indicated the lower gallery had chokedamped overnight.
adjective
British English
- They encountered a chokedamp pocket near the old workings.
- The chokedamp warning from the canary was immediate.
American English
- The miners were trained on chokedamp hazards.
- A chokedamp reading on the sensor halted all progress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical or technical papers on mining safety and industrial history.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used in historical contexts within mining engineering, occupational safety history, and disaster reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chokedamp”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chokedamp”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chokedamp”
- Using it as a synonym for 'humidity'.
- Confusing it with 'firedamp' (which is explosive methane).
- Using it in modern contexts instead of precise terms like 'hypoxic atmosphere'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Firedamp is primarily methane and is explosive. Chokedamp is primarily carbon dioxide and nitrogen and is suffocating but not flammable.
Rarely. Modern occupational safety language uses more precise terms like 'oxygen-deficient atmosphere', 'low-oxygen environment', or specifies the exact gases present.
In this context, 'damp' is an archaic word derived from German 'Dampf' meaning 'vapour' or 'gas', not related to moisture.
Theoretically, yes, in any confined space where oxygen is displaced by heavier gases (e.g., cellars, wells, silos). However, the term is almost exclusively associated with mining.
A suffocating, oxygen-deficient atmosphere in a mine, typically containing carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
Chokedamp is usually technical / historical in register.
Chokedamp: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃəʊkˌdæmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃoʊkˌdæmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None specific to this term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a miner CHOKING on the DAMP, heavy air in the mine.
Conceptual Metaphor
AIR IS A KILLER (a dangerous, active entity that suffocates).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary component of chokedamp?