inflation

[in-fley-shuhn]

noun

1. Economics.,  a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of currency (deflation ).

2. the act of inflating.

3. the state of being inflated. inflated.

inflation

/ ɪnˈfleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of inflating or state of being inflated

2. economics a progressive increase in the general level of prices brought about by an expansion in demand or the money supply ( demand-pull inflation ) or by autonomous increases in costs ( cost-push inflation ) Compare deflation

3. informal,  the rate of increase of prices

inflation

1. A general increase in prices.

Other Word Forms

• anti-inflation noun
• noninflation noun
• overinflation noun
• reinflation noun
• self-inflation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflation¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inflacio(u)n, from Latin inflātiōn-, stem of inflātiō, equivalent to inflāt(us), past participle of inflāre “to blow on or into, puff out” + -iō -ion; inflate

Example Sentences

The chancellor pledged to keep "taxes, inflation and interest rates as low as possible".

From BBC

“This is a bill that keeps the government funded at the exact same levels as today, just adjusted for inflation.”

From Los Angeles Times

In her speech at Labour's annual party conference in Liverpool, the chancellor pledged to keep "taxes, inflation and interest rates as low as possible".

From BBC

That rocketed annual inflation into triple digits and led to the crumbling of confidence among domestic and foreign investors, thus complicating the government’s ability to refinance its maturing debt obligations.

From Salon

According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics, inflation is 3.8%, almost double the Bank of England's 2% target.

From BBC

Related Words

• boom 
• expansion 
• hike 
• rise