1. A sudden, intense fire that spreads rapidly through a room or building when heat ignites all combustible materials at once.
Usage: common in fire science and firefighting contexts
2. An electrical discharge that jumps across an insulating gap or surface, typically caused by excessive voltage.
Usage: technical; used in electrical engineering

Examples

• Firefighters were trained to recognize the warning signs of a flashover before the entire room ignited.
• The flashover occurred so quickly that the crew had to evacuate immediately.
• A flashover in the electrical panel caused the power to shut down.
• High temperatures in the warehouse created conditions ripe for a flashover.
• The investigation revealed that poor ventilation contributed to the rapid flashover.
• Electrical flashovers can damage sensitive equipment and pose serious safety risks.