1
: something that is swollen
specifically
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
2
: the condition of being swollen
Examples of swelling in a Sentence
There was a swelling above her eye.
The swelling around her eye should subside in a few days.
Recent Examples on the Web
Early signs include fever, low body temperature, rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, confusion, and the swelling of tissues (edema).
—
Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
Symptoms of chikungunya infections include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash, according to the CDC, and the best way to prevent chikungunya is to avoid mosquito bites.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Both drugs also cost more than $25,000 a year, and can cause brain swelling and bleeding.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Out of every 1,000 cases, around 200 children require hospitalization, 50 develop pneumonia, one experiences brain swelling that can lead to deafness or disability, and between one and three die.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
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Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
Symptoms of chikungunya infections include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash, according to the CDC, and the best way to prevent chikungunya is to avoid mosquito bites.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Both drugs also cost more than $25,000 a year, and can cause brain swelling and bleeding.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Out of every 1,000 cases, around 200 children require hospitalization, 50 develop pneumonia, one experiences brain swelling that can lead to deafness or disability, and between one and three die.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Articles Related to swelling
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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