inflation

noun

in·​fla·​tion in-ˈflā-shən 

1

: an act of inflating : a state of being inflated: such as

a

: distension

b

: a hypothetical extremely brief period of very rapid expansion of the universe immediately following the big bang

c

: empty pretentiousness : pomposity

2

: a continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services

Synonyms

• affectation
• affectedness
• grandiosity
• pretense
• pretence
• pretension
• pretentiousness

Examples of inflation in a Sentence

the inflation of a balloon

The government has been unable to control inflation.

The rate of inflation is high.

Recent Examples on the Web

The annual inflation rate fell from a 2.4% increase in March to 2.3% as consumer prices rose 0.2%, according to Consumer Price Index data. —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 8 June 2025

This coming week, the latest U.S. consumer price index (CPI) inflation data is expected to show an uptick in prices after inflation eased in the first few months of 2025. —Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

This isn’t just an inflation issue, but a public policy one. —Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025

Most of the economists surveyed by Bloomberg projected the bank would lower borrowing costs, which currently stand at a record 21% in order to rein in inflation levels that are more than double the bank’s target. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inflation

• anti-inflation
• core inflation
• counter-inflation
• grade inflation
• headline inflation

Rhymes for inflation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

inflation

noun

in·​fla·​tion in-ˈflā-shən 

1

: an act of inflating : the state of being inflated

2

: a continual increase in the price of goods and services