hyperinflation

noun

hy·per·in·fla·tion | \ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shən

Definition of hyperinflation

: extreme or excessive inflation: such as

a : excessive distension with air or gas hyperinflation of the lungs

b : extreme economic inflation with prices rising at a very high rate in a very short time But the policy also fueled hyperinflation that experts say left Iran's economy weaker in the long run.— Ramin Mostaghim also : a period of such inflation While every company may employ any of a variety of cash investment options during hyperinflation, every successful company has one policy in common … — Gerald Swanson

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The subsidy would have been worth $17 as recently as last November; hyperinflation amid a collapsing economy is likely to make the subsidy worth even less in the weeks to come. — Laignee Barron, Fortune, "Venezuela Promises Pregnant Women a Handout That's Worth Almost Nothing," 16 Jan. 2018 Venezuela's bolivar has lost most of its value due to the country's hyperinflation. — Jim Wyss, miamiherald, "Venezuela's currency is worth so little that artisans are making purses out it," 20 June 2018 These failures are part of a broader collapse of Venezuela’s health system, caused by the socialist regime’s ruinous policies, which have led to shortages, economic depression and hyperinflation. — The Economist, "[CORRECTED] Polio returns to Venezuela, and threatens the region," 16 June 2018 Using the black market rate for dollars, a professor’s salary here now tops out at about $8 a month, because of hyperinflation. — Anthony Faiola And Rachelle Krygier, Washington Post, "A historic exodus is leaving Venezuela without teachers, doctors and electricians," 3 June 2018 Crucial revenues from oil have declined as production plummets, and hyperinflation is expected to reach 13,000 percent this year. — Fox News, "Powerful, unpopular Venezuela leader faces opposition foes," 19 May 2018 Mine development stalled under Mugabe, whose policies led to a collapse in the economy and hyperinflation. — Thomas Biesheuvel, Bloomberg.com, "Mugabe's Fall Has Veteran Miners Jockeying for Zimbabwe Comeback," 13 Feb. 2018 Falcon's backers showed their dissatisfaction with hyperinflation by tearing up worthless 500-bolivar notes and throwing them into the air like confetti. — Fabiola Sanchez And Scott Smith, Fox News, "Grave crisis drives apathy in Venezuelan election," 17 May 2018 As Venezuela has rocketed into hyperinflation, drugs and supplies — almost all of them imported — are increasingly unaffordable. — Anthony Faiola And Rachelle Krygier, Washington Post, "Blackouts, hyperinflation, hunger: Maduro faces reelection as Venezuela deteriorates," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hyperinflation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Sep 2018

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The first known use of hyperinflation was in 1880

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More Definitions for hyperinflation

hyperinflation

noun

Financial Definition of hyperinflation

What It Is

Hyperinflation is a period of extremely high inflation.

How It Works

Imagine if $30,000 -- money that could buy you a car today -- was only enough to buy you dinner tomorrow. You're imagining hyperinflation -- a period of time that the International Monetary Fund defines as "beginning in the month that the rise in prices exceeds 50 percent and as ending the month before the monthly rise in prices drops below that rate and stays far below it for at least a year."

Hyperinflation happens when a country's money supply increases rapidly but its supply of goods and services don't. As you know, increases in demand without corresponding increases in supply creates increased prices for those goods and services. When this happens quickly, hyperinflation occurs.

Armed conflicts that require extraordinary defense spending, general fiscal imbalances or printing currency in order to pay off government debt are all common generators of hyperinflation because they increase money supply without a corresponding increase in goods and services. And the problem can quickly spiral because when sellers begin to believe that prices will keep going up, they keep raising prices. This usually creates crises in the banking industry because deposits dwindle and withdrawals soar. And all of these factors in turn discourage foreign investment in the currency and businesses using that currency.

Recovering from hyperinflation can take years, if not decades, and requires government adjustments to its fiscal policy.

Why It Matters

Hyperinflation reduces the efficiency of the price system and the usefulness of a country's currency as a store of value -- that is, it often leaves a country's currency worthless. The problem is typically confined to developing economies, however, so investors in these economies should consider this additional risk when investing.

Source: Investing Answers

hyperinflation

noun