swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswe-liŋ 

1

: something that is swollen

specifically : an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

2

: the condition of being swollen

Synonyms of swelling

• lump
• bruise
• bump
• nodule
• node

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

On New Year's Eve, King began experiencing chest pain, swelling and shortness of breath, and went back to the hospital. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026

There are serious complications of pneumonia (1 in 20), encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1,000, deafness in many and deaths in 1-3/1,000. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Low-impact exercise such as walking or yoga can help maintain flexibility and may reduce swelling and pain, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026

There was blood in her urine, mysterious abdominal swelling. —J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swelling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling

Kids Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing

ˈswel-iŋ

1

: something that is swollen

especially : a swollen part of the body

2

: the condition of being swollen

Medical Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswel-iŋ- 

: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

an inflammatory swelling