bloated; bloating; bloats
1
a
: to make turgid or swollen
b
: to cause abdominal distension in
2
: to fill to capacity or overflowing
1
a
: one that is bloated
b
: unwarranted or excessive growth or enlargement
bureaucratic bloat
2
: digestive disturbance of ruminant animals and especially cattle marked by accumulation of gas in one or more stomach compartments
3
: a condition of large dogs marked by distension and usually life-threatening rotation of the stomach
Examples of bloat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2025
But even that proposal — which did not address other car bloat dangers like blind zones and torso strikes — is likely to be cast aside by incoming Trump appointees who are disinclined toward new business regulations.
—David Zipper, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
Many potassium-rich foods are also high in fiber, and too much of that too quickly can cause GI distress like gas and bloating, and maybe even dramatic shifts in your blood pressure.
—Alisa Hrustic, Health, 1 May 2025
Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
The program can be set up without any new administrative bloat, since the assessor’s office already has much of the infrastructure in place to administer a circuit breaker.
—Nathaniel George Booker, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Local officials also insist there isn’t bloat in their government accounts.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2025
But even that proposal — which did not address other car bloat dangers like blind zones and torso strikes — is likely to be cast aside by incoming Trump appointees who are disinclined toward new business regulations.
—David Zipper, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Verb
Diet Eating a diet high in salt can lead to water retention and cause symptoms like bloating and swelling.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
Many potassium-rich foods are also high in fiber, and too much of that too quickly can cause GI distress like gas and bloating, and maybe even dramatic shifts in your blood pressure.
—Alisa Hrustic, Health, 1 May 2025
Noun
High churn, rising CAC, and operational bloat plagued the business.
—Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
The program can be set up without any new administrative bloat, since the assessor’s office already has much of the infrastructure in place to administer a circuit breaker.
—Nathaniel George Booker, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bloat
Cite this Entry
“Bloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloat. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bloat
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to make turgid:
a
: to produce edema in
b
: to cause or result in accumulation of gas in the digestive tract of
cucumbers sometimes bloat me
c
: to cause abdominal distension in
: to become turgid
bloat
2 of 2 noun1
: a digestive disturbance of ruminant animals and especially cattle marked by accumulation of gas in one or more stomach compartments
2
a
: a condition of large dogs marked by distension and usually life-threatening rotation of the stomach
b
: any flatulent digestive disturbance of domestic animals
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share