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

Weeks later, the boy began experiencing facial swelling and facial paralysis, according to the report. — Sophie Ziedalski, NBC news, 2 July 2026

For wound infections, patients can experience redness, pain, swelling, discoloration, and discharge from the wound. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

About 400 to 500 Americans died of measles each year, while about 1,000 experienced brain swelling and 48,000 were hospitalized, records show. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Short sessions may help with lower-extremity swelling in healthy people, and MD Anderson Cancer Center has pointed to low-intensity vibration as potentially helpful for cancer patients maintaining bone and muscle health. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 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