A contraction of economic activity resulting in a decline of prices

• One way of letting down tail end of pants
• Reason for some hisses
• The act of letting the air out of something

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Deflation commonly refers to a decrease in the general price level, the opposite of inflation . Deflation may also refer to: A release or escape of air or gas from an inflatable , resulting in its shrinking or collapsing The Great Deflation , a period of ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 An act or instance of deflate. 2 (context economics English) A decrease in the general price level, that is, in the nominal cost of goods and services as well as wages. 3 (context economics euphemistic English) An economic contraction.

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
deflation \deflation\ n. the act or process of deflating. a fall in the average prices of goods and services; -- usually associated with contraction of economic activity. Opposite of inflation . Compare disinflation . the reduction of available credit or ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. (geology) the erosion of soil as a consequence of sand and dust and loose rocks being removed by the wind; "a constant deflation of the desert landscape" a contraction of economic activity resulting in a decline of prices [ant: inflation , disinflation ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1891, "release of air," from deflate + -ion . In reference to currency or economic situations, from 1920.