noun
inflation
ihn-FLAY-shn
noun
1
A general and sustained rise in prices, which reduces the purchasing power of money.
"Rising inflation has made weekly grocery bills noticeably higher."
"The central bank raised interest rates to try to control inflation."
2
The act of filling something with air or gas so it expands.
"The inflation of the life raft took less than a minute."
How to Use Inflation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRising prices across an economy over time, or the act of filling something with air.
Common pairings
rate of inflation
rising inflation
control inflation
Word Forms
inflations plural
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Rising _____ has made weekly grocery bills noticeably higher.
Etymology
From Latin inflatio, "a swelling, blowing up," from inflare — see inflate.