1. to burn rapidly with intense heat and sparks but without explosion
Usage: technical; chemistry

Examples

• The gunpowder will deflagrate when exposed to the spark.
• Unlike explosives that detonate, this material will only deflagrate.
• The chemical compound began to deflagrate at high temperature.
• Safety protocols prevent the mixture from deflagrating uncontrollably.
• The fuel deflagrated slowly across the surface.
• Scientists observed how the substance would deflagrate under different conditions.