inflation

noun

in·​fla·​tion in-ˈflā-shən 

1

: an act of inflating : a state of being inflated: such as

a

: distension

b

: a hypothetical extremely brief period of very rapid expansion of the universe immediately following the big bang

c

: empty pretentiousness : pomposity

2

: a continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services

Synonyms

• affectation
• affectedness
• grandiosity
• pretense
• pretence
• pretension
• pretentiousness

Examples of inflation in a Sentence

the inflation of a balloon

The government has been unable to control inflation.

The rate of inflation is high.

Recent Examples on the Web

Spending has remained solid, even in the face of still-high inflation and elevated interest rates. —Bryan Mena, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

But Biden has reaped little political benefit from those positive trends, mostly because inflation, which peaked at 9% in 2022, has led to persistently high prices and mortgage rates. —Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

In 2022, inflation and the war in Ukraine pushed prices above $5 a gallon. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024

Indeed, adult collectors have become critical to the growth of the toy industry, which faces the threat of inflation and higher interest rates curbing people’s discretionary spending. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 15 Apr. 2024

With investors already rattled by sticky inflation and the prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates, the escalation of the Middle East crisis is set to inject fresh volatility when trading resumes. —Srinivasan Sivabalan, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024

Housing insecurity in the United States has surged in the wake of COVID-19, ongoing inflation and cost of living increases. —Gabriela Sandoval, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024

Despite a higher than expected inflation reading dashing investors’ hopes for lower interest rates this year, one Fed leader is still hoping for cuts. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024

High inflation, after 40 years without it, has been a shocker. —Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inflation

• anti-inflation
• core inflation
• counter-inflation
• grade inflation
• headline inflation

Kids Definition

inflation

noun

in·​fla·​tion in-ˈflā-shən 

1

: an act of inflating : the state of being inflated

2

: a continual increase in the price of goods and services