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⇱ BLOAT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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bloat

2 of 3

verb

bloated; bloating; bloats

transitive verb

1
a
: to make turgid or swollen
b
: to cause abdominal distension in
2
: to fill to capacity or overflowing

bloat

3 of 3

noun

1
a
: one that is bloated
b
: unwarranted or excessive growth or enlargement
bureaucratic bloat
2
: digestive disturbance of ruminant animals and especially cattle marked by accumulation of gas in one or more stomach compartments
3
: a condition of large dogs marked by distension and usually life-threatening rotation of the stomach

Examples of bloat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
As streaming platforms bloat with endless offerings and attention spans shrink, the likelihood that anything will stick seems increasingly atypical. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Oct. 2025 Their system reduces the layers that typically bloat production timelines. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
Those with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive sensitivities may experience bloating, gas or digestive discomfort. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026 Its natural anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce symptoms such as bloating and gas. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
With that growth came a lot of acquisitions and bloat. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026 Tech leaders who are conducting mass layoffs and citing AI to justify them have also been accused of trying to distract from corporate bloat and past overhiring, which critics say is the real reason for the job losses. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloat

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English blout, blote soft, pliable, from Old Norse blautr soft, weak; akin to Old English blΔ“at miserable

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bloat was in the 14th century

Rhymes for bloat

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œBloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloat. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

bloat

verb
ˈblōt
: to swell by filling with or as if with water or air : puff up

Medical Definition

: to make turgid:
a
: to produce edema in
b
: to cause or result in accumulation of gas in the digestive tract of
cucumbers sometimes bloat me
c
: to cause abdominal distension in

intransitive verb

: to become turgid

bloat

2 of 2 noun
1
: a digestive disturbance of ruminant animals and especially cattle marked by accumulation of gas in one or more stomach compartments
2
a
: a condition of large dogs marked by distension and usually life-threatening rotation of the stomach
b
: any flatulent digestive disturbance of domestic animals

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