inflation

American  

[in-fley-shuhn] / ɪnˈfleɪ ʃən /

noun

inflations plural

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 (opposed to deflation).

2. the act of inflating.

3. the state of being 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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inflations
  plural

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; see inflate

Explanation

Think of inflation as expansion, usually from being filled with air, like a balloon. This also refers to rising prices. Think of a balloon puffing up, getting fuller and fuller — that's inflation. The word has a bunch of related meanings. We can say people a little too full of themselves are suffering from inflation: they are full of hot air. When the cost of living is ballooning, that's economic inflation. When the universe was born in the big bang, there was a huge inflation, as matter spread out, creating galaxies, stars, and planets.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inflation inflations

The eurozone’s annual rate of inflation stood at 2.8% in June, above the pre-war level of 1.9%, although down from May’s recent high of 3.2%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

"Assuming the Fed leaves rates unchanged as expected, traders will be on the lookout for a potentially stronger description of inflation risks and/or possible wording to signal conditional tightening," said Matt Weller at City Index.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

With inflation for this year forecast to average 3%, that points to a slight increase in real wages during the year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

The lower consumer inflation figure for June gave policymakers enough "room to breathe" for now, but with further price rises expected Swonk was pencilling in two rate hikes for later this year.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

That number is two and a half times the $1.2 million, adjusted for inflation, that group reported in 1980.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

He added: “I know I could not have been so calm through depressions, inflations, banking and currency crises, wars and political disruptions.”

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 18, 2026

Dr Chris Provan, the chair of RCGPs in Scotland, said: "Nationally, many GP practices are experiencing dire financial headwinds owing to historic underinvestment, the impact of inflations, and the impending national insurance contributions."

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2025

But Sotheby’s lawyers said that, while Rybolovlev and Sazonov had reason to be angry, they should blame themselves for failing to take reasonable measures to protect Rybolovlev from any price inflations.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2024

The second round showed inflations of between 28% and 42%.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2022

His appearance was indicated by certain inflations and convulsions of the parts which he possessed, and when the relics were again placed in the lower parts, he directly returned to the upper.

From The itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales by Cambrensis, Giraldus

Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise