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 ).

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

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.)

Other Word Forms

• deflationist noun
• deflationary adjective
• deflationism noun
• nondeflation noun
• nondeflationary adjective
• self-deflation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflation¹

First recorded in 1890–95; deflate + -ion

Example Sentences

Not a few investors have learned to build in a standard deflation factor to bring these projections closer to reality or plausibility.

From Los Angeles Times

"I remember the deflation," Eze says about the knockbacks he received as he tried to find his way in the game.

From BBC

"As they lose weight they start to notice deflation and some sagging of their face," she said.

From BBC

The market’s recent poor performance, moreover, may have something to do with a deflation of the artificial intelligence investment bubble of recent years, which may have further to unfold.

From Los Angeles Times

While the US and other major powers have struggled with post-Covid inflation, China is experiencing the opposite: deflation - when the rate of inflation falls below zero, meaning that prices decrease.

From BBC

Related Words

• bankruptcy 
• collapse 
• decline 
• downturn 
• hard times www.thesaurus.com
• inflation 
• shakeout 
• slide 
• slump 
• stagnation 
• unemployment