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

• bump
• knot
• lump
• node
• nodule

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

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death. —Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025

For the first time in years, the swelling and pain disappeared. —Suzy Katz, Health, 16 May 2025

The swelling on her brain is still not fully gone, her mother said in March, causing difficulties with speech and mobility of the right side of her body. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 May 2025

About 1 in 1,000 children who develops measles will experience brain swelling, which can cause hearing and vision loss, intellectual disabilities and permanent brain damage. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025

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