inflammation

American  

[in-fluh-mey-shuhn] / ˌɪn fləˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

inflammations plural

1. Pathology. redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body, especially as a reaction of tissues to injurious agents.

2. the act or fact of inflaming.

3. the state of being inflamed.

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inflammation British  

/ ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the reaction of living tissue to injury or infection, characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain

2. the act of inflaming or the state of being inflamed

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inflammation Scientific  

/ ĭn′flə-mā′shən /

1. The reaction of a part of the body to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain. The process includes increased blood flow with an influx of white blood cells and other chemical substances that facilitate healing.

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inflammation Cultural  

1. The response of tissue to injury or infection. Pain, heat, redness, and swelling are the four basic symptoms of inflammation.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subinflammation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inflammations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of inflammation

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin inflammātiōn-, stem of inflammātiō, from inflammāt(us) “kindled” (past participle of inflammāre “to kindle”; see inflame) + -iō -ion

Explanation

An inflammation means "setting something on fire." Maybe it's a political movement that suddenly takes hold, romantic feelings, the heat making your shoes feel tight, or someone lighting a campfire. Inflammation comes from the root inflame, from the Latin word inflammare meaning "to set on fire with passion." That meaning sounds pretty good, but an inflammation on your face, like a terrible rash, probably isn't going to inflame anyone's passion, at least until the swelling goes down. It probably also causes pain and discomfort.

Example Sentences

AbbVie has agreed to buy Apogee Therapeutics for about $10.9 billion in cash in a deal that bolsters the biopharmaceutical company’s immunology and inflammation portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

They said they consumed raw dairy because they wanted to reduce their inflammation, and avoid additives, and prevent lactose intolerance, and clear their skin, and bring their hormones into balance.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026

Reliever Blake Treinen, on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, got some good news.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2026

The MRI did not show any structural damage, only inflammation that Roberts attributed to the wear and tear of the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2026

There was swelling and slight inflammation around each rupture in the skin.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• infection
• irritation
• pain
• rash
• sore
• tenderness