flash·back
ˈflash-ˌbak 
1
: a recession of flame to an unwanted position (as into a blowpipe)
2
a
: interruption of chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection of events of earlier occurrence
also
: an instance of flashback
b
: a past incident recurring vividly in the mind
flashed back; flashing back; flashes back
1
: to focus one's mind on or vividly remember a past time or incident
—usually used with to
flashed back to my childhood
2
: to employ a flashback (as in a film)
—usually used with to
Examples of flashback in a Sentence
Noun
The character's childhood was described in a series of flashbacks.
He's having flashbacks of his days in the war.
Verb
the scent made me flash back to the days of my mother's home-cooked Sunday dinners
Recent Examples on the Web
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
The village is next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the backdrop to Jinu’s bad boy character-building flashbacks.
—Ali Wunderman, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
The opening sequence of the film flashes back to meet demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, played across the franchise by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, while on their very first case as paranormal investigators.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flashback
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Noun
During her therapy sessions with Evelyn, Leila sees a range of conflicting flashbacks.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
The village is next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the backdrop to Jinu’s bad boy character-building flashbacks.
—Ali Wunderman, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Hedda’s smirk speaks volumes as the film flashes back to that fateful night.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
The opening sequence of the film flashes back to meet demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, played across the franchise by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, while on their very first case as paranormal investigators.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flashback
Cite this Entry
“Flashback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashback. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flashback
noun
flash·back
ˈflash-ˌbak
1
: the introduction of a past event into a story or motion picture
also
: this past event
2
: a past incident recurring clearly in the mind
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