bloated; bloating; bloats
1
a
: to make turgid or swollen
b
: to cause abdominal distension in
2
: to fill to capacity or overflowing
1
a
: one that is bloated
b
: unwarranted or excessive growth or enlargement
bureaucratic bloat
2
: digestive disturbance of ruminant animals and especially cattle marked by accumulation of gas in one or more stomach compartments
3
: a condition of large dogs marked by distension and usually life-threatening rotation of the stomach
Examples of bloat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Oct. 2025
Their system reduces the layers that typically bloat production timelines.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Sodium draws fluid into the digestive tract, leading to swelling and bloating.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026
Exerting pressure against politicians CTA and local union chapters maintain that these districts can afford their respective demands in each district by spending down reserves, ending expensive third-party contracts and removing administrative bloat.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bloat
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Adjective
As streaming platforms bloat with endless offerings and attention spans shrink, the likelihood that anything will stick seems increasingly atypical.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Oct. 2025
Their system reduces the layers that typically bloat production timelines.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
Other symptoms can include changes in bowel habits or persistent abdominal discomfort, such as pain, bloating or cramping.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Sodium draws fluid into the digestive tract, leading to swelling and bloating.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
Tech leaders who are conducting mass layoffs and citing AI to justify them have also been accused of trying to distract from corporate bloat and past overhiring, which critics say is the real reason for the job losses.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026
Exerting pressure against politicians CTA and local union chapters maintain that these districts can afford their respective demands in each district by spending down reserves, ending expensive third-party contracts and removing administrative bloat.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bloat
Cite this Entry
“Bloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloat. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bloat
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to make turgid:
a
: to produce edema in
b
: to cause or result in accumulation of gas in the digestive tract of
cucumbers sometimes bloat me
c
: to cause abdominal distension in
: to become turgid
bloat
2 of 2 noun1
: a digestive disturbance of ruminant animals and especially cattle marked by accumulation of gas in one or more stomach compartments
2
a
: a condition of large dogs marked by distension and usually life-threatening rotation of the stomach
b
: any flatulent digestive disturbance of domestic animals
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