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

Perhaps the biggest myth that has been busted so far: During its early days, bitcoin was said to be a hedge against fiscal excess, government money-printing and inflation.

From MarketWatch

While the inflation index uses current prices, it is weighted according to a roughly 20-year-old survey of household spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

The decision took into account the upward revision in the central bank’s inflation forecasts and “the need to continue evaluating the impact of the fiscal adjustments implemented at the beginning of the year.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Canada’s central bank sets rate policy to achieve and maintain 2% inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Thursday, Bostic was the latest policymaker to stress the importance of keeping the central bank’s benchmark interest rate unchanged to help bring inflation sustainably down to the Fed’s goal of 2%.

From Barron's

Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise