1
: something that is swollen
specifically
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
2
: the condition of being swollen
Examples of swelling in a Sentence
There was a swelling above her eye.
The swelling around her eye should subside in a few days.
Recent Examples on the Web
This same time will be when any fruit trees requiring pest or disease treatment with dormant oil will need to be sprayed – just before bud swelling begins.
—
Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 Nov. 2025
And the swelling above her left eyebrow was clearly not normal.
—Luis Pascal, Miami Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
In her Instagram Stories, Dewey explained that swelling had severely affected his brain function.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
The most common effects were brief soreness or swelling.
—Henry I. Miller, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
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Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 Nov. 2025
And the swelling above her left eyebrow was clearly not normal.
—Luis Pascal, Miami Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
In her Instagram Stories, Dewey explained that swelling had severely affected his brain function.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
The most common effects were brief soreness or swelling.
—Henry I. Miller, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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