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.

---

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

---

inflation Cultural  

1. A general increase in prices.

---

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

On top of that, wage growth has slowed in recent months just as inflation has moved higher.

From MarketWatch

Beahon pushed back against the idea that brands were inflating prices arbitrarily, arguing that higher costs reflect inflation, rising material prices and unprecedented global investment in elite sport.

From BBC

Bonds don’t do well when investors are worried about sudden inflation spikes, as they were this past April.

From Barron's

Swiss inflation edged up in the final month of 2025, likely alleviating the pressure on the country’s central bank to cut rates below zero.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bureau of Economic Analysis said Wednesday it will publish a report covering October and November personal income, consumer spending and personal-consumption expenditures inflation data on Thursday, Jan. 22.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise