inflation

[in-fley-shuhn]

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

/ 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

1. A general increase in prices.

Other Word Forms

• anti-inflation noun
• noninflation noun
• overinflation noun
• reinflation noun
• self-inflation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflation¹

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

The September jobs report still hasn’t been released and the publication of crucial inflation data remains uncertain with less than three weeks until the central bank’s next interest-rate decision.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics will bring some furloughed employees back to work so it can publish the September consumer-price index, a key inflation report, an administration official said.

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On the downside, inflation and longevity will be her biggest challenges if and/or when she gives up work completely.

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He made the comments after the central bank surprised markets by holding its policy rate at 1.50% Wednesday, despite below-target inflation and sputtering growth.

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Raphael Bostic, Atlanta Fed president, notes a narrowing gap between inflation concerns and worries about a weakening labor market.

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Related Words

• boom 
• expansion 
• hike 
• rise