stagflation

American  

[stag-fley-shuhn] / stægˈfleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an inflationary period accompanied by rising unemployment and lack of growth in consumer demand and business activity.

---

stagflation British  

/ stæɡˈfleɪʃən /

noun

1. a situation in which inflation is combined with stagnant or falling output and employment

---

stagflation Cultural  

1. An economic phenomenon of the late 1960s and 1970s characterized by sluggish economic growth and high inflation. The word is a blend of stagnation and inflation.

---

Etymology

Origin of stagflation

First recorded in 1965–70; stag(nation) ( def. ) + (in)flation

Example Sentences

"The stag part of the stagflation is already being felt in terms of restaurants closing down and households having less natural gas," Subramanian said.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The bond manager is playing defense, holding over 20% in Treasuries amid stagflation concerns, and likes utilities and telecoms.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Few investors are predicting recession, even as worries about inflation and slower growth prompt talk of stagflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Higher energy prices have the potential to cause stagflation —a lethal combination of higher inflation and lower growth that would likely undermine businesses’ bottom lines.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Since then growth has somewhat recovered, and stagflation has been redefined and now is properly understood as a bad �trade-off� of both inflation and unemployment.

From Definition & Reality in the General Theory of Political Economy by Colignatus, Thomas