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
The day her husband sent her to the E.R., the swelling had spread down the arm to the wrist.
—
Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
According to the Mayo Clinic, a torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries, and causes pain, swelling and stiffness.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
There may also be a swelling in the lymph node under the jaw.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
One in 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability; 1 to 3 children in 1,000 will die, according to the CDC.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
While the medications appear to modestly slow the disease in clinical trials, they have been hampered by concerns of potentially life-threatening side effects, including brain swelling and brain bleeding.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
More serious symptoms can include blindness, severe breathing problems, including pneumonia, brain swelling and damage and dehydration, according to the World Health Organization.
—Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
That can compress the joint, causing pain or swelling, Dr. Malizia says.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 14 Feb. 2024
The infant was transferred to Stanford Medical Center; an exam revealed two brain bleeds, brain swelling and retinal hemorrhages consistent with shaken baby syndrome, according to the district attorney’s office.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
According to the Mayo Clinic, a torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries, and causes pain, swelling and stiffness.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
There may also be a swelling in the lymph node under the jaw.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
One in 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability; 1 to 3 children in 1,000 will die, according to the CDC.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
While the medications appear to modestly slow the disease in clinical trials, they have been hampered by concerns of potentially life-threatening side effects, including brain swelling and brain bleeding.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
More serious symptoms can include blindness, severe breathing problems, including pneumonia, brain swelling and damage and dehydration, according to the World Health Organization.
—Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
That can compress the joint, causing pain or swelling, Dr. Malizia says.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 14 Feb. 2024
The infant was transferred to Stanford Medical Center; an exam revealed two brain bleeds, brain swelling and retinal hemorrhages consistent with shaken baby syndrome, according to the district attorney’s office.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swelling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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