flashover

flash·over | \ ˈflash-ˌō-vər

How to pronounce flashover (audio)

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Definition of flashover

1 : an abnormal electrical discharge (as through the air to the ground from a high potential source or between two conducting portions of a structure)

2 : the sudden spread of flame over an area when it becomes heated to the flash point

Examples of flashover in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When crews were able to get into the home, the immediate rush of oxygen to the fire caused a flashover, NOFD said, and intense fire at extremely high temperatures surged toward the firefighters entering the building. — Carlie Wells, NOLA.com, "Woman killed in house fire in Holy Cross area, New Orleans firefighters say," 13 Nov. 2020 The experts determined the fire was caused by the effects of flashover and had one point of origin. — Lauren Castle, azcentral, "U.S. Supreme Court denies Arizona man's petition to seek damages for 'wrongful conviction'," 23 Mar. 2020 Among them: Toledo, Ohio, firefighters Jamie Dickman, 31, and Stephen Machcinski, 42, killed in a flashover on Jan. 26, 2014. — Mike Hendricks, kansascity, "In a tragic loop, firefighters continue to die from preventable mistakes," 13 July 2018 Even more dangerous than a rollover is a flashover. — Sean Flynn, Esquire, "The Perfect Fire," 9 Mar. 2017 Unlike a rollover, however, a flashover happens everywhere at once; every molecule of atmosphere, every object in the vicinity, instantly turns to fire. — Sean Flynn, Esquire, "The Perfect Fire," 9 Mar. 2017 To show the effects of a flashover, rollover and the better understanding of a blaze, the Olmsted Township Fire Department hosted a regional fire training simulator last week that also included Olmsted Falls and North Olmsted firefighters. — Joanne Berger Dumound/special To Cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "Simulator gives firefighters an early view of an inferno: Olmsted Dates and Data," 5 June 2017 Olmsted Township helped its firefighters and those of two other departments learn more about fires, including rollovers and flashovers, that occur in a blaze. — Joanne Berger Dumound/special To Cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "Simulator gives firefighters an early view of an inferno: Olmsted Dates and Data," 5 June 2017 The vast majority travels around the outside in a 'flashover' effect, Cooper explains. — Charlotte Huff, CNN, "This is what it's like to be struck by lightning," 25 May 2017

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

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Last Updated

22 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Flashover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashover. Accessed 16 Jan. 2021.

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