flammability

noun

flam·​ma·​bil·​i·​ty ˌfla-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce flammability (audio)
: ability to support combustion
especially : a high capacity for combustion

Examples of flammability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But then, due to problems with the spacecraft, this mission slipped from April to July and is now on hold indefinitely after serious problems were found with Starliner's parachutes and flammability. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 20 June 2023 However, flammability comes from the polymer, not aluminum. Alex Christian, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 The material may have posed a flammability risk in certain environmental conditions, according to NASA. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Jan. 2024 This mattress, however ,does meet federal flammability tests. Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 25 Nov. 2023 The problem was that, for a city of Chicago’s size and flammability, the department didn’t have enough of these engines or any other equipment, or nearly enough firefighters. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023 With its first vote, the commission stunned manufacturers by refusing to delay the effective date of a standard for mattress flammability. Sam Roberts, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2023 The Spacecraft Fire Safety Experiments (Saffire) are designed to investigate major flame growth and material flammability limits in space. James Rogers, Fox News, 4 Oct. 2020 Also, flame retardants are added to meet flammability standards; those chemicals are toxic at high exposure levels. Catherine Gaugh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flammability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flammability was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near flammability

Cite this Entry

“Flammability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flammability. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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