inflation theory

American  

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

noun

inflation theories plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• inflation theories
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inflation theory

To explore these beginnings, the researchers ran advanced computer simulations that question the traditional "inflation" theory.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2025

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

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 disagreement over the Bicep finding will not mean the end of inflation theory; it just means it will be harder for cosmologists to find out how it worked.

From New York Times ● Sep. 22, 2014

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