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inflammation

American  
[in-fluh-mey-shuhn] / ˌɪn fləˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. Pathology. redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body, especially as a reaction of tissues to injurious agents.

  2. the act or fact of inflaming.

  3. the state of being inflamed.

inflammation British  
/ ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the reaction of living tissue to injury or infection, characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain

  2. the act of inflaming or the state of being inflamed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
inflammation Scientific  
/ ĭn′flə-mā′shən /

  1. The reaction of a part of the body to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain. The process includes increased blood flow with an influx of white blood cells and other chemical substances that facilitate healing.

inflammation Cultural  

  1. The response of tissue to injury or infection. Pain, heat, redness, and swelling are the four basic symptoms of inflammation.

Other Word Forms

  • subinflammation noun

Etymology

Origin of inflammation

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin inflammātiōn-, stem of inflammātiō, from inflammāt(us) “kindled” (past participle of inflammāre “to kindle”; inflame ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

GSK said Wednesday that it had double-digit percentage growth in its immunology and inflammation, oncology and HIV portfolios throughout the year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The immune system may respond with inflammation, which can worsen depressive symptoms.

From Science Daily

As the fish grew older, their kidneys showed a loss of tiny blood vessels, damage to the filtration barrier, rising inflammation, and disruptions in how kidney cells produce and regulate energy.

From Science Daily

The drug was designed to counteract a major biological molecule release that occurs during sepsis, a process that can drive widespread inflammation and organ damage.

From Science Daily

A new study reports that the drug can lower cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, two major contributors to cardiovascular problems.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.