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
Other symptoms like pain or prolonged swelling may be a sign of an infection.1
Some people develop an alpha-gal allergy, or alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), in response to the bite of a lone star tick.
—
Maria Masters, Health, 9 June 2024
This can cause symptoms like the 29-year-old experienced, including muscle pains, fever, facial swelling, sensitivity to light, eye infections, rashes, headaches and chills, according to Healthline.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
While wearing these socks in her second and third trimesters, our editor didn’t experience any swelling in her legs, ankles, or feet.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 May 2024
An abrupt cut observes Adi returning home, his handsome face mangled with bruises, cuts and swellings and his body covered in more bruises.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for swelling 
Maria Masters, Health, 9 June 2024
This can cause symptoms like the 29-year-old experienced, including muscle pains, fever, facial swelling, sensitivity to light, eye infections, rashes, headaches and chills, according to Healthline.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
While wearing these socks in her second and third trimesters, our editor didn’t experience any swelling in her legs, ankles, or feet.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 May 2024
An abrupt cut observes Adi returning home, his handsome face mangled with bruises, cuts and swellings and his body covered in more bruises.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for swelling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swelling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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