inflation

American  

[in-flay-shuhn] / ɪnˈfleɪ ʃən /

noun

• inflations
  plural

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 (opposed to deflation).

2. the act of inflating.

3. the state of being 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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inflations
  plural

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; see inflate

Explanation

Think of inflation as expansion, usually from being filled with air, like a balloon. This also refers to rising prices. Think of a balloon puffing up, getting fuller and fuller — that's inflation. The word has a bunch of related meanings. We can say people a little too full of themselves are suffering from inflation: they are full of hot air. When the cost of living is ballooning, that's economic inflation. When the universe was born in the big bang, there was a huge inflation, as matter spread out, creating galaxies, stars, and planets.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inflation inflations

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates in September for the first time in years, reflecting concerns about sticky inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Reid’s explanation was that investors may view inflation risk as a near-term shock that will eventually fade or be dealt with by the Fed.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

This adds to the other force driving up US borrowing costs: inflation, fueled by the war against Iran and high energy prices.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

"Markets can absorb crude between $70 and $90, but when prices move above $100 a barrel, it starts putting stress on macro-economic variables such as inflation and also company earnings and margins."

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

“They helped me get started. Now I can return them to you readjusted, because with inflation they’re not worth what they once were.”

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

He added: “I know I could not have been so calm through depressions, inflations, banking and currency crises, wars and political disruptions.”

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 18, 2026

Dr Chris Provan, the chair of RCGPs in Scotland, said: "Nationally, many GP practices are experiencing dire financial headwinds owing to historic underinvestment, the impact of inflations, and the impending national insurance contributions."

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2025

But Sotheby’s lawyers said that, while Rybolovlev and Sazonov had reason to be angry, they should blame themselves for failing to take reasonable measures to protect Rybolovlev from any price inflations.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2024

The second round showed inflations of between 28% and 42%.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2022

It was the result of certain inflations of values which necessarily follow the construction of great enterprises.

From The Arena Volume 18, No. 92, July, 1897 by Various

Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise