inflation theory

American  

[in-flay-shuhn theer-ee] / ɪnˈfleɪ ʃən ˌθɪər i /

noun

plural

inflation theories

1. Astronomy. the cosmic theory describing and explaining the exponential expansion of the universe in the early stages of its existence.

2. Economics. any theory of the causes and control of inflation or of a particular instance of inflation.

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inflation theory Scientific  

/ ĭn-flā′shən /

1. A theory according to which the universe underwent extremely rapid expansion after an original event called the big bang, and has been expanding ever since. The basic homogeneity in the distribution of matter in the universe was established as a consequence of the first phase of inflation.

2. Compare steady state theory See more at big bang

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Example Sentences

The methods and results of this study will allow researchers in the future to further test inflation theory.

From Science Daily • Dec. 22, 2023

According to the cosmic inflation theory, the universe is eternal, leading to the speculative theory of pocket universes, which would mean that the universe is forever growing and reproducing.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2023

The Daniels described their multiverse as a combination of Many Worlds and the cosmic bubble bath implied by inflation theory.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2022

But it’s possible that for a few, confirmation bias played a part, because they were proponents of the inflation theory.

From Nature • Apr. 15, 2018

The eventual result was the inflation theory, which holds that a fraction of a moment after the dawn of creation, the universe underwent a sudden dramatic expansion.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson