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
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
So, Brendle chose to go with flashbacks to better times and a scene where Frieda gets to leave her cell because she is needed to help serve food.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
Sheryl Crow and LeAnn Rimes Join The Voice as Season 27 Mega Mentors
Then, a video flashed back to his blind audition, where Ballerini pleaded to have him on her team.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flashback
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Fans at home were likely having flashbacks to last year's U.S. Open collapse.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
So, Brendle chose to go with flashbacks to better times and a scene where Frieda gets to leave her cell because she is needed to help serve food.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
The movie then flashes back to reveal the unworldly events of the day before.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
Sheryl Crow and LeAnn Rimes Join The Voice as Season 27 Mega Mentors
Then, a video flashed back to his blind audition, where Ballerini pleaded to have him on her team.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 15 Apr. 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 1 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share