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
There wasn’t that much pain, and the swelling was minor.
—
Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Ice: Apply ice for the first 48 hours for 10–20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
As their name suggests, these garments are tighter than standard socks and work by applying pressure to the legs to improve blood flow, helping to reduce swelling and discomfort.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
That swelling is a result of rising magma pressing beneath the mountain’s thin surface.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
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Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Ice: Apply ice for the first 48 hours for 10–20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain.
—Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025
As their name suggests, these garments are tighter than standard socks and work by applying pressure to the legs to improve blood flow, helping to reduce swelling and discomfort.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
That swelling is a result of rising magma pressing beneath the mountain’s thin surface.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 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 1 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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