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

Still, the most pernicious consequence of Beijing’s economic model is entrenched deflation. — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

The officer positioned themself ahead of the vehicle and deployed tire deflation devices, disabling the vehicle’s front driver’s-side tire, according to police. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

Starbucks is also projecting slight deflation in coffee prices and slowing net new North American cafe openings, which will both weigh on its full-year revenue, according to CFO Cathy Smith. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

Police say that officers then successfully deployed tire-deflation devices near 11 Mile Road. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Oct. 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