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
Daron James, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
The flowy style, soft fabric, and comfy wide-legs gave us flashbacks of our fave millennial styles—oh, and don’t forget the front and back pockets.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 27 May 2025
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Initially, only slivers of their true selves appear as the series flashes back and forth from the past to the present.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flashback
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Noun
The missing pieces to Joel and Ellie’s personal struggles are fully revealed through a multi-year flashback montage coinciding with Ellie’s birthday.
—Daron James, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
The flowy style, soft fabric, and comfy wide-legs gave us flashbacks of our fave millennial styles—oh, and don’t forget the front and back pockets.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 27 May 2025
Verb
The first was to flash back to the schoolteacher with the soda.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Initially, only slivers of their true selves appear as the series flashes back and forth from the past to the present.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Apr. 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 15 Jun. 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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