spontaneous combustion
noun
: self-ignition of combustible material through chemical action (such as oxidation) of its constituents
called also spontaneous ignition
Examples of spontaneous combustion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s one more major category of spontaneous combustion: the drying oils.
—
Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 9 Jan. 2023
The Mesa mulch fire garnered a lot of attention as the fire, likely due to spontaneous combustion, was expected to burn for nearly 24 to 48 hours as fire crews monitored it.
—The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2023
Back-to-back-to-back recalls in recent weeks for issues ranging from spontaneous combustion to loss of power while driving at highway speeds puts Ford at a competitive disadvantage during a time when automakers are fighting to define themselves as market leaders, analysts say.
—Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 24 June 2022
In 2021, some of the experts called in thought there may have been spontaneous combustion.
—Eric Boodman, STAT, 18 Apr. 2023
If those contents include any goods that the International Maritime Organization defines as dangerous (among them, explosives, radioactive substances, toxic gases, asbestos, and things prone to spontaneous combustion), the carrier is obliged to report the incident to the relevant authority.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
In a spontaneous combustion of emotions, Celtics center Al Horford (42) celebrates with teammate Aaron Nesmith as Jayson Tatum celebrates with Luke Kornet after the final buzzer of Sunday's 100-96 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022
Variety reports that both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are supporting the film as executive producers, which will follow Moon — the human embodiment of spontaneous combustion — during his ascent as one of the most famous drummers in rock history.
—Vulture, 31 Jan. 2022
Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion.
—Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2020
Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 9 Jan. 2023
The Mesa mulch fire garnered a lot of attention as the fire, likely due to spontaneous combustion, was expected to burn for nearly 24 to 48 hours as fire crews monitored it.
—The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2023
Back-to-back-to-back recalls in recent weeks for issues ranging from spontaneous combustion to loss of power while driving at highway speeds puts Ford at a competitive disadvantage during a time when automakers are fighting to define themselves as market leaders, analysts say.
—Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 24 June 2022
In 2021, some of the experts called in thought there may have been spontaneous combustion.
—Eric Boodman, STAT, 18 Apr. 2023
If those contents include any goods that the International Maritime Organization defines as dangerous (among them, explosives, radioactive substances, toxic gases, asbestos, and things prone to spontaneous combustion), the carrier is obliged to report the incident to the relevant authority.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022
In a spontaneous combustion of emotions, Celtics center Al Horford (42) celebrates with teammate Aaron Nesmith as Jayson Tatum celebrates with Luke Kornet after the final buzzer of Sunday's 100-96 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2022
Variety reports that both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are supporting the film as executive producers, which will follow Moon — the human embodiment of spontaneous combustion — during his ascent as one of the most famous drummers in rock history.
—Vulture, 31 Jan. 2022
Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion.
—Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spontaneous combustion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spontaneous combustion
Cite this Entry
“Spontaneous combustion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spontaneous%20combustion. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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