swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswe-liŋ 

1

: something that is swollen

specifically : an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

2

: the condition of being swollen

Synonyms of swelling

• lump
• bruise
• bump
• nodule
• node

Examples of swelling in a Sentence

There was a swelling above her eye.

The swelling around her eye should subside in a few days.

Recent Examples on the Web

By then, the swelling had reached my elbow. —Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026

Ice Rollers and Cryo Tools Best for puffiness, inflammation and morning swelling, ice rollers work by temporarily constricting blood vessels. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026

Bell's Palsy typically results from inflammation or swelling of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), and is often linked to viral infections that that impact the nerve. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Both suffer from cerebral swelling (an oddly specific detail). —Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swelling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling

Kids Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing

ˈswel-iŋ

1

: something that is swollen

especially : a swollen part of the body

2

: the condition of being swollen

Medical Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswel-iŋ- 

: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

an inflammatory swelling