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flashback

noun flash·back \ ˈflash-ˌbak \
|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of flashback

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

See flashback defined for English-language learners

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Examples of flashback in a Sentence

  1. The character's childhood was described in a series of flashbacks.

  2. He's having flashbacks of his days in the war.

Recent Examples of flashback from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flashback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of flashback

1903

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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flash back

verb

Definition of flash back

intransitive verb
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

First Known Use of flash back

1944

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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FLASHBACK Defined for English Language Learners

flashback

noun

Definition of flashback for English Language Learners

  • : a part of a story or movie that describes or shows something that happened in the past

  • : a strong memory of a past event that comes suddenly into a person's mind

Learn More about flashback

  1. See words that rhyme with flashback Spanish Central: Translation of flashback Nglish: Translation of flashback for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flashback for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flashback

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