distend

Everyday

1. To swell out or stretch because of pressure from inside. tree →
2. distended (adjective): swollen and puffed out. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health, a stomach or balloon distends when filled with gas or liquid; in news about hunger, children with distended bellies may be badly fed; phrases: «a distended stomach», «distend with gas».

Examples

• The balloon distended as we blew air into it. tree →
• After the big meal, his tummy felt distended. tree →
• Starving children can have distended bellies. tree →
• The snake's body distended as it swallowed the egg. tree →
• The vet felt the dog's distended belly. tree →
• Water made the sponge distend. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: distension (UK also distention). Medical and formal word; simpler: swell, bloat.