[] () /ˌdiːˈfleɪt/to reduce the amount of money being used in a country so that prices fall or stay steady紧缩（通货）◆The government raised interest rates in an attempt to deflate the economy.政府提高了利率试图紧缩通货。➡inflate , reflate /ˌdiːˈfleɪt; dɪˈfleɪt/to become or make sth less valuable, expensive or active物价下降；贬值◆Food prices are deflating by 1.5% a year.食品价格一年下跌 1.5%。◆a badly deflated share price急剧下跌的股价