deflation
noun
de·fla·tion
di-ˈflā-shən 
ˌdē-
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
Examples of deflation in a Sentence
Economists worry that deflation will bring the country into recession.
Recent Examples on the Web
In September, the decline in China’s factory-gate prices, a gauge of deflation, extended into the 36th straight month, though the drop has narrowed following Beijing’s attempt in recent months to rein in price competition in certain sectors.
—
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Rather than forcing lopsided trade deals on allies and friends, Washington would do better to organize a common message to Chinese leaders that a business model that fuels deflation at home and anger abroad is untenable.
—Christopher Smart, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Separate inflation and deflation valves.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
The rebound in corporate profitability was largely helped by Beijing’s policies aimed at curtailing fierce price competition across industrial sectors, at a time when deflation in producer prices stretched into its third year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflation
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Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Rather than forcing lopsided trade deals on allies and friends, Washington would do better to organize a common message to Chinese leaders that a business model that fuels deflation at home and anger abroad is untenable.
—Christopher Smart, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Separate inflation and deflation valves.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
The rebound in corporate profitability was largely helped by Beijing’s policies aimed at curtailing fierce price competition across industrial sectors, at a time when deflation in producer prices stretched into its third year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deflation
Cite this Entry
“Deflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflation. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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