deflation

noun

de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən 

ˌdē-

1

: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated

2

: a contraction in the volume of available money or credit that results in a general decline in prices

3

: the erosion of soil by the wind

deflationary

di-ˈflā-shə-ˌner-ē 

ˌdē-

adjective

Examples of deflation in a Sentence

Economists worry that deflation will bring the country into recession.

Recent Examples on the Web

The resulting crash in prices would not be deflation. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The rate would have to be negative for prices to actually fall – known as deflation. — Marc Shoffman, TheWeek, 21 May 2026

Greenspan held on to Volcker’s playbook and brought inflation so low that at one point there were fears of falling prices, or deflation. — Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026

The deflation was evident as Betts acknowledged his dismal start to the season. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deflation

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

Kids Definition

deflation

noun

de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən 

ˈdē-

1

: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated

2

: a reduction in the volume of available money or credit resulting in a decline of the general price level

deflationary

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective