Other forms: swellings
A swelling is a body part grown puffy and bigger after injury. Reduce the swelling, a painful swelling, the swelling went down.
It is caused by fluid gathering in the tissue, which is part of the healing response and also what makes the injury hurt. Ice, elevation and compression are the standard ways of reducing it. A swelling that appears without injury is a symptom worth showing somebody. Note swollen, which is the adjective; and that swelling also means a rising, as of sound or of the sea.
1nounswellingA body part grown puffy and bigger after injury.
“After the bee sting, there was a painful red swelling on her arm.”
2nounrisingA rising or increase.
“There was a swelling of anger in the crowd as the verdict was read out.”
swelling is an enlargement.
Practised in Body & Health