inflammation

American  

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

noun

• inflammations
  plural

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.

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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

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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.

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inflammation Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subinflammation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inflammations
  plural

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”; see inflame) + -iō -ion

Explanation

An inflammation means "setting something on fire." Maybe it's a political movement that suddenly takes hold, romantic feelings, the heat making your shoes feel tight, or someone lighting a campfire. Inflammation comes from the root inflame, from the Latin word inflammare meaning "to set on fire with passion." That meaning sounds pretty good, but an inflammation on your face, like a terrible rash, probably isn't going to inflame anyone's passion, at least until the swelling goes down. It probably also causes pain and discomfort.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inflammation inflammations

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Mayo Clinic, and collaborating institutions have now uncovered a previously unknown connection between mitochondria, cell metabolism, and this chronic inflammation.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

Instead, the findings indicate that in people who are genetically susceptible, even moderate amounts of oxalate may contribute to inflammation of the intestinal lining.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

She had actually been suffering from a tumefactive demyelination - an inflammation which is usually treated by neurologists who would prescribe strong steroids.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Now 33, she has recently learned she never had cancer at all but an inflammation of the brain that could have been treated with steroids.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Finally, after the suffering became intolerable, he relented, was examined, and was told that he was suffering from orchitis, an inflammation of the testicle.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Like other autoimmune diseases, which include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus, these autoimmune brain inflammations, or encephalitides, arise when antibodies turn against the body.

From Science Magazine ● May 15, 2024

Progressed oral infections and inflammations -- endodontic lesions and periodontitis -- are known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 16, 2023

Compounds similar to the snake’s active toxin are used to treat inflammations.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Some user reviews have said that silk pillowcases helped reduce lesions and lessen inflammations such as acne and dermatitis, and many advertisements tout silk’s antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 5, 2021

We slept hour after hour, ate a little, tended our frostbites, inflammations, and bruises, mindspoke, slept again.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• infection
• irritation
• pain
• rash
• sore
• tenderness