deflation

[ dih-fley-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of deflating or the state of being deflated.
2. Economics. a fall in the general price level or a contraction of credit and available money ( inflation ). Compare disinflation.
3. the erosion of sand, soil, etc., by the action of the wind.

deflation

/ dɪˈfleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of deflating or state of being deflated
2. economics a reduction in the level of total spending and economic activity resulting in lower levels of output, employment, investment, trade, profits, and prices Compare disinflation
3. geology the removal of loose rock material, sand, and dust by the wind

deflation

/ dĭ-flā′shən /

1. The lifting and removal of fine, dry particles of silt, soil, and sand by the wind. Deflation is common in deserts and in coastal areas that have sand dunes.

deflation

1. A decrease in prices, often stated as an increase in the value of money, related to a decline in spending by consumers . ( Compare inflation .)

Derived Forms

• deˈflationist, nounadjective
• deˈflationary, adjective

Other Words From

• de·flation·ary adjective
• de·flation·ism noun
• de·flation·ist noun adjective
• nonde·flation noun
• nonde·flation·ary adjective
• self-de·flation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflation¹

First recorded in 1890–95; deflate + -ion

Example Sentences

The pad also comes with new valves that allow for quick inflation and deflation, in case you’re in a rush.

From Popular-Science

Look at the wild swings back and forth between inflation and deflation back in the day.

From Fortune

Many come with built-in motors for quick inflation and deflation.

From Popular-Science

Much of the eurozone, in fact, went into the deflation zone last month.

From Fortune

Japan’s economy didn’t skyrocket under his leadership, but overall it grew modestly after two preceding decades of deflation.

From Vox

When an economy suffers deflation, as Japan has done for several years, nobody has any incentive to spend money today.

From The Daily Beast

The basic idea behind austerity is that deflation via government cuts will rein in budget deficits and sovereign debt.

From The Daily Beast

Deflation also means that the economy adjusts to real shocks in the most disruptive way possible.

From The Daily Beast

I join most economists in thinking that deflation is bad, and it will be good if Japan can stop it.

From The Daily Beast

But if inflation is negative--i.e., if they have deflation--then they have to do something more drastic.

From The Daily Beast

Three pairs of lungs sighed audibly in process of deflation.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a concerted stiffening of bodies, a general sigh from lungs in process of deflation.

From Project Gutenberg

The Presidents plans for regulated deflation came to naught.

From Project Gutenberg

Later, when there was a metal coinage, this cycle of inflation and deflation became still clearer.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasionally a region with an adverse balance of trade would lose all its copper money, with the result of a local deflation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bankruptcy
• collapse
• decline
• downturn
• hard times
• inflation
• shakeout
• slide
• slump
• stagnation
• unemployment