1. Plural of hyperinflation; periods of extremely rapid and out-of-control increases in the general price level of goods and services in an economy, typically resulting in a sharp decline in the real value of currency.
Usage: Economics term; Usually refers to historical or contemporary economic crises

Examples

• Several Latin American countries experienced severe hyperinflations during the 1980s and 1990s.
• Zimbabwe's hyperinflations in the 2000s rendered the local currency nearly worthless.
• Economists study past hyperinflations to understand how to prevent future economic crises.
• The hyperinflations of post-World War I Germany had devastating social consequences.
• Modern central banks use lessons from historical hyperinflations to guide monetary policy.