bloat

[ bloht ]

verb (used with object)

1. to expand or distend, as with air, water, etc.; cause to swell:

   Overeating bloated their bellies.

   Synonyms: balloon, enlarge, inflate, swell

2. to puff up; make vain or conceited:

   The promotion has bloated his ego to an alarming degree.

3. to cure (fishes) as bloaters.

verb (used without object)

1. to become swollen; be puffed out or dilated:

   The carcass started to bloat.

noun

1. Also called hoven. Veterinary Pathology. (in cattle, sheep, and horses) a distention of the rumen or paunch or of the large colon by gases of fermentation, caused by eating ravenously of green forage, especially legumes.
2. a person or thing that is bloated.
3. bloater ( defs 1, 2 ).

bloat

/ bləʊt /

verb

1. to swell or cause to swell, as with a liquid, air, or wind
2. to become or cause to be puffed up, as with conceit
3. tr to cure (fish, esp herring) by half-drying in smoke

noun

1. vet science an abnormal distention of the abdomen in cattle, sheep, etc, caused by accumulation of gas in the stomach

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloat¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; earlier bloat (adjective) “soft, puffy,” Middle English blout, from Old Norse blautr “wet, soft”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloat¹

C17: probably related to Old Norse blautr soaked, Old English blāt pale

Example Sentences

Asked if the disease was killing them on their hoofs, or if farmers were making tough decisions and euthanizing animals that seemed particularly ill with bacterial pneumonia, mastitis or bloat, she said it was the former.

From Los Angeles Times

“A lot of times you see people who are my age and they are puffy eyed and they have bloat. That’s what it is — lack of water, lack of mobility.”

From Los Angeles Times

For instance, he has seen a lot of bacterial pneumonia, which is likely the result of the cow’s depressed immune system, as well as bloat.

From Los Angeles Times

I use the term car bloat to describe the ongoing expansion of vehicle models over the past 50 years.

From Slate

Although car bloat is a global trend, it is especially pronounced in the United States, where sedans and station wagons have been largely replaced by the SUVs and pickups that now account for about 4 in 5 new car purchases.

From Slate

Related Words

• inflate
• swell