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
This condition involves inflammation and swelling of the bile ducts and causes fever, chills, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
—
Mark Gurarie, Health, 31 Jan. 2025
Signs of a more severe injury include intense pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
While things like soft tissue swelling will be reversed once the excess hormones stop, changes to the bones and other parts of the body can't be undone.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
His second selfie showed him wearing a blue face mask as the swelling around his eyes had increased and extended to his cheekbones and brow bones.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for swelling 
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Mark Gurarie, Health, 31 Jan. 2025
Signs of a more severe injury include intense pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
While things like soft tissue swelling will be reversed once the excess hormones stop, changes to the bones and other parts of the body can't be undone.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
His second selfie showed him wearing a blue face mask as the swelling around his eyes had increased and extended to his cheekbones and brow bones.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 Dec. 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 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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