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

• 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

For every 1,000 measles cases, there are between 1 and 3 deaths from breathing complications or brain swelling. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

Pain, swelling and a change in color at the site or all the way up the limb are among the common symptoms of a snake bite. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Pneumonia occurs in 1 in 20, encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1000, and deaths in 1-3/1000. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

He was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition, the White House said in July, after photos showed visible swelling in his legs and bruising on his right hand. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 5 Sep. 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