hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shən 

: extreme or excessive inflation: such as

a

: excessive distension with air or gas

hyperinflation of the lungs

b

: extreme economic inflation with prices rising at a very high rate in a very short time

But the policy also fueled hyperinflation that experts say left Iran's economy weaker in the long run.

—Ramin Mostaghim

also : a period of such inflation

While every company may employ any of a variety of cash investment options during hyperinflation, every successful company has one policy in common …

—Gerald Swanson

hyperinflationary

ˌhī-pər-in-ˈflā-shə-ˌnər-ē 

adjective

Examples of hyperinflation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Argentine entrepreneur Wences Casares has shared with me that a non-governmental money outside the control of the banks would have helped his family, who lost their life savings multiple times during periods of Argentina's hyperinflation. —Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

At the other extreme, the private sector could have spent the handouts all at once, in which case there would have been hyperinflation. —Sebastian Mallaby, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2021

Unprecedented rates of hyperinflation and a civil war with a gruesome Maoist terrorist group, the Shining Path, meant that the average Peruvian was ready for new figures to emerge to confront these threats. —Stephanie McNulty & Sarah Chartock / Made By History, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

In many cases, their economic policies proved to be highly erratic, leading to bouts of hyperinflation or periods of severe economic depression. —Yascha Mounk, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion -in-ˈflā-shən 

: inflation that increases very quickly over a short period of time

Medical Definition

hyperinflation

noun

hy·​per·​in·​fla·​tion ˌhī-pə-rin-ˈflā-shən 

: excessive inflation (as of the lungs)