flashover
noun
flash·over
ˈflash-ˌō-vər 
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Clearly flashover had occurred.
—
Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
In those strikes, victims can experience burns on their skin as a portion of the current moves over the skin's surface (called flashover), but the greatest concern is the portion of the current that moves through the body's cardiovascular and nervous systems.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 20 Jan. 2022
Wood fires, especially those that reach flashover, frequently exceed the melting point of metals..
—Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
Witnesses had reported flames exploding out the windows—the main indicator of a flashover fire.
—Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
That phenomenon, called flashover, occurs when a fire seems to burst out a room’s windows and doors.
—Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
The free event features safety information, activities and demonstrations, including a water rescue in Lake Osborne, a flashover fire and K9 unit exercises.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022
The reason is a phenomenon called flashover, in which electric current flows over the surface of the body and largely bypasses the internal organs.
—The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2021
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, 13 Nov. 2020
See More
Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
In those strikes, victims can experience burns on their skin as a portion of the current moves over the skin's surface (called flashover), but the greatest concern is the portion of the current that moves through the body's cardiovascular and nervous systems.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 20 Jan. 2022
Wood fires, especially those that reach flashover, frequently exceed the melting point of metals..
—Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
Witnesses had reported flames exploding out the windows—the main indicator of a flashover fire.
—Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
That phenomenon, called flashover, occurs when a fire seems to burst out a room’s windows and doors.
—Douglas Starr, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2011
The free event features safety information, activities and demonstrations, including a water rescue in Lake Osborne, a flashover fire and K9 unit exercises.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022
The reason is a phenomenon called flashover, in which electric current flows over the surface of the body and largely bypasses the internal organs.
—The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2021
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, 13 Nov. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flashover.' 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
1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near flashover
Cite this Entry
“Flashover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashover. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
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