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.

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stagflation British  

/ stæɡˈfleɪʃən /

noun

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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of stagflation

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

Example Sentences

Amid fears of stagflation, persistently high interest rates and a weakening labor market, our mood changes almost on a daily basis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

“However, a longer conflict and tighter oil markets point to a stagflation squeeze.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 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

The era of stagflation put millions of people out of work, especially after the Fed jacked up a key interest rate to double digits to try to tame rapidly rising prices.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

In other words, they don�t see that their problems are caused by stagflation.

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