swelling

[swel-ing]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that swells.

2. the condition of being or becoming swollen. swollen.

3. a swollen swollen part; a protuberance or prominence.

4. Pathology.,  an abnormal enlargement or protuberance, as that resulting from edema.

swelling

/ ˈswɛlɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of expansion or inflation

2. the state of being or becoming swollen

3. a swollen or inflated part or area

4. an abnormal enlargement of a bodily structure or part, esp as the result of injury

Other Word Forms

• unswelling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swelling¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; swell + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Early reports flagged a type of heart swelling called myocarditis as a rare side effect of the mRNA vaccine, particularly for young men ages 18 to 25 after a booster dose.

From Salon

The intense makeup couldn’t hide the swelling around his eyes.

From Salon

Odell's voice, which tends towards the tremulous, thrums with emotional resonance, gently underscored by brushed drums and swelling strings.

From BBC

In rare cases chicken pox can cause a swelling of the brain, called encephalitis; an inflammation of the lungs, called pneumonitis; and stroke, which can result in hospitalisation and - very rarely - death.

From BBC

In rare cases it can cause a swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, an inflammation of the lungs, called pneumonitis, and stroke, which can result in hospitalisation and, in very rare cases, death.

From BBC

Related Words

• abscess 
• blister 
• bruise 
• bump 
• contusion 
• inflammation 
• injury 
• nodule 
• sore 
• tumor 
• welt