hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shən 

: 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

hyperinflationary

ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shə-ˌnər-ē 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Faced with a number of pressing threats, including hyperinflation and rising energy prices, the cost will be a key driver in decision making. —Emma Kisby, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022

In 1997, Hanke stopped a raging hyperinflation and banking crisis in Bulgaria by installing a currency board. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2022

Owing to hyperinflation and currency woes, cryptocurrency use has been blossoming in Zimbabwe despite the government banning banks from transactions involving the digital assets. —Tawanda Karombo, Quartz, 4 Feb. 2022

Rome famously experienced hyperinflation after a series of Emperors lowered the silver content of their currency, the denarius. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2022

The mistake is an easy one to make, because—barring hyperinflation and the collapse of society—inflation will eventually return to low levels. —James Mackintosh, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022

If that’s not enough, there have been 61 episodes of hyperinflation in the world since 1849. —WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022

In 2007, Zimbabwe’s economy entered a period of hyperinflation, a term used to describe very high, accelerating, and generally out-of-control price increases in an economy, usually when the inflation rate exceeds the 50% mark. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 July 2022

But the real leading cause is Mr. Maduro’s socialist policies that have generated hyperinflation, poverty, corruption and widespread malnutrition and produced millions of Venezuelan refugees. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 May 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion -in-ˈflā-shən 

: inflation that increases very quickly over a short period of time

Medical Definition

hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion ˌhī-pə-rin-ˈflā-shən 

: excessive inflation (as of the lungs)