swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswe-liŋ 

1

: something that is swollen

specifically : an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

2

: the condition of being swollen

Synonyms

• bump
• knot
• lump
• node
• nodule

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

See a healthcare provider if lymph node swelling persists, is painful, or occurs with symptoms like fever or unexplained weight loss. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Apr. 2025

The swelling in the area never subsided, prompting surgery to clean up bone spurs that had traveled dangerously close to his Achilles tendon. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025

For example, approximately 1 in 5 Americans have arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes joint swelling and stiffness. —Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025

The incredible nurses in Dr. Chang’s practice assured me that her patients are always pleasantly surprised with how minimal the bruising and swelling are, probably because of her strict pre-surgery protocol. —Macey Hall, Allure, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swelling

• belling
• celling
• dwelling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling

Kids Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing

ˈswel-iŋ

1

: something that is swollen

especially : a swollen part of the body

2

: the condition of being swollen

Medical Definition

swelling

noun

swell·​ing ˈswel-iŋ- 

: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement

an inflammatory swelling