Inflation /(?)/

In·fla·tion

Inflation

n.
  1. The act or process of inflating, or the state of being inflated, as with air or gas; distention; expansion; enlargement.
  2. The state of being puffed up, as with pride; conceit; vanity.
  3. Persistent expansion or increase in the general level of prices, usually caused by overissue of currency, and resulting in a reduced value of the currency. It is contrasted with deflation, and is when it occurs to a very high degree is called hyperinflation. [U.S.]