Main Entry: in·fla·tion

Pronunciation: \in-ˈflā-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1 : an act of inflating : a state of being inflated: 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