inflation

American  

[in-fley-shuhn] / ɪnˈfleɪ ʃən /

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.

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inflation British  

/ 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

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inflation Cultural  

1. A general increase in prices.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of inflation

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

Last year, the International Monetary Fund described the economy as "robust" with a growth rate of almost 8% and low inflation.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Yet healthcare costs are also a persistent source of inflation.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The dramatic slowdown in traffic through the strait has led to skyrocketing global oil prices, which in turn has caused fuel prices to rise and led to fears of higher inflation around the world.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

It also sees inflation, as measured by annual changes in the consumer-price index, dropping to 2.2% in 2028 and then staying there through 2036.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In the past twenty-five years, in dollars corrected for inflation, the annual international arms trade has gone from $300 million to much more than $20 billion.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise