deflation

noun

de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˌdē-
1
: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated
2
: a contraction in the volume of available money or credit that results in a general decline in prices
3
: the erosion of soil by the wind
deflationary adjective

Examples of deflation in a Sentence

Economists worry that deflation will bring the country into recession.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Fears of deflation in China China’s consumer price inflation in December was up 0.1% year on year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025 Also, commodities tend to perform better when global demand increases, rather than just demand in the U.S. China, which accounts for approximately 50% of global commodity demand for, is currently suffering from deflation—not inflation—and bond yields are at record lows. Garth Friesen, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 In response, stricter rules were introduced for future parades, including wind restrictions and emergency deflation protocols. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 For all its challenges, not least of which is deflation, China is still hoovering up global market share. William Pesek, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deflation 

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deflation was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near deflation

Cite this Entry

“Deflation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deflation. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

deflation

noun
de·​fla·​tion di-ˈflā-shən How to pronounce deflation (audio)
ˈdē-
1
: an act or instance of deflating : the state of being deflated
2
: a reduction in the volume of available money or credit resulting in a decline of the general price level
deflationary adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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