inflammation

[ in-fluh-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Pathology. redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body, especially as a reaction of tissues to injurious agents.
2. the act or fact of inflaming.
3. the state of being inflamed.

inflammation

/ ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the reaction of living tissue to injury or infection, characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain
2. the act of inflaming or the state of being inflamed

inflammation

/ ĭn′flə-mā′shən /

1. The reaction of a part of the body to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain. The process includes increased blood flow with an influx of white blood cells and other chemical substances that facilitate healing.

inflammation

1. The response of tissue to injury or infection . Pain, heat, redness, and swelling are the four basic symptoms of inflammation.

Other Words From

• subin·flam·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflammation¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin inflammātiōn-, stem of inflammātiō, from inflammāt(us) “kindled” (past participle of inflammāre “to kindle”; inflame ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Even with lifelong ART treatment, the virus remains latent in reservoirs throughout the body that can reactivate at any time, and over the long-term, these reservoirs can contribute to chronic inflammation and comorbidities.

From Science Daily

It seems to play a role in exacerbating inflammation in the seven million people that live with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

From BBC

Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, scientists think that some of the hallmarks of diabetes -- such as high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and inflammation -- may encourage the development of dementia in the brain.

From Science Daily

The causes of neurodegenerative diseases are largely mysterious, but the current thinking is that they involve inflammation, a normal function of the immune system that is usually short-lived in response to infections or wounds.

From Science Daily

Pneumonia, when there is inflammation in the lungs because of an infection, is more common after cold weather, external.

From BBC

Related Words

• infection
• irritation
• pain
• rash
• sore
• tenderness