Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for inflammation. Search instead for tissue inflammation.
Synonyms

inflammation

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

noun

  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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

inflammation Cultural  

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

Other Word Forms

  • subinflammation noun

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”; inflame ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After years of struggling, Bethany is taking biologics, a relatively new type of medication which targets inflammation, and feels she's finally getting her "life back", having recently managed to land her first job.

From BBC

Their results suggest that SLIT3 activity may influence fat tissue health, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in people with obesity.

From Science Daily

This finding suggests that direct protein transfer from bacteria to human cells may contribute to long-term intestinal inflammation.

From Science Daily

According to Guandalini, excess fat worsens inflammation in the body, triggering metabolic changes that accelerate muscle breakdown.

From Science Daily

These molecules act as signaling substances in the immune system and are often linked to inflammation.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.