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

"Looking ahead, we expect headline inflation to weaken further to just over 1 percent in February and March as generous energy subsidies kick in," said Abhijit Surya at Capital Economics.

From Barron's

“We think we can keep interest rates accommodative and give growth a chance. We can see the recovery strengthening while inflation comes down,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Consumer inflation, excluding volatile fresh food prices, climbed 2.0% in January from a year earlier, compared with December’s 2.4% rise, government data showed Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, Daly indicated the Fed cannot loosen policy to the point of disregarding its inflation target.

From The Wall Street Journal

After concert demand roared back after pandemic restrictions eased, Wall Street has been focused on signs of a slowdown in the concert industry, as well as the impact of inflation on middle- and lower-income earners.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise