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Synonyms

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.

"It can lead to inflammation in the brain, and that's one of the things that can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Other research has shown that dust collected near the Salton Sea triggers lung inflammation in mice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"The second one shows global mild stranding of the mesenteric fat - that meant widespread abdominal inflammation".

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Thyroid eye disease is a rare autoimmune condition causing eye-bulging, double vision, and inflammation.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

“If you had any foreign bodies in your legs they would set up an inflammation and you’d have fever.”

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

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.