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
Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
In a flashback, far away from the White House, Cordelia is birding on a deserted beach with her young nephew.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2025
The Star’s Sam McDowell detailed how Kelce nearly quit football but came back with the help of his older brother, Jason.
Kelce’s mind flashed back to that incident shortly after the Chiefs defeated the Bills 32-29 on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flashback
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Noun
How this is meant to work is explained in an early flashback montage disguised as a news report.
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
In a flashback, far away from the White House, Cordelia is birding on a deserted beach with her young nephew.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
It’s set in the present but several interstitial chapters flash back to the ‘80s and ’90s, when the women were getting their start as ruthless-but-funny contract killers.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2025
The Star’s Sam McDowell detailed how Kelce nearly quit football but came back with the help of his older brother, Jason.
Kelce’s mind flashed back to that incident shortly after the Chiefs defeated the Bills 32-29 on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 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 19 Apr. 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
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