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
Ice can help reduce the swelling in and around the joint.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Cupp’s doctor put him on medications to reduce swelling and high blood pressure and tried a second time to win approval for a left heart catheter examination.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024
In the meantime, if the node is painful or just bugging you, resist the urge to touch or squeeze it, Dr. Norton says, which can make the swelling worse.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
The swelling that had spread to his armpit slowly decreased.
—Jackie Fortiér, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swelling 
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Cupp’s doctor put him on medications to reduce swelling and high blood pressure and tried a second time to win approval for a left heart catheter examination.
—T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2024
In the meantime, if the node is painful or just bugging you, resist the urge to touch or squeeze it, Dr. Norton says, which can make the swelling worse.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024
The swelling that had spread to his armpit slowly decreased.
—Jackie Fortiér, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swelling
Articles Related to swelling
Dictionary Entries Near swelling
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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