() a reduction in the amount of money in a country's economy so that prices fall or remain the same 通货紧缩◆The government is introducing measures to combat deflation. 政府正采取措施以对抗通货紧缩。◆Companies are still laying off employees as deflation continues to reduce their revenue. 因为通货紧缩使公司的收入持续下降，所以各公司仍在裁员。➡disinflation , inflation , reflation at reflate
a situation in which prices continuously become lower （价格）下跌◆the deflation of raw materials prices 原材料价格的下跌◆The retailer experienced price deflation of 2% last year. 去年这零售商遭受了 2% 的价格下跌。
▸deflationary /ˌdiːˈfleɪʃənri; NAmE-neri/
adjective
◆deflationary policies 通货紧缩政策◆the deflationary pressures on the economy 通货紧缩对经济的压力asset deflation