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
Mikelle Street, Them., 23 May 2025
No wonder star and producer Cruise and his director Christopher McQuarrie include flashbacks to all the previous M:I films.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 May 2025
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 May 2025
Once all is laid out, the scene flashes back to a conversation between Sammie and another musician, Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), who explains Sammie’s skill for the blues and the responsibility that comes with his talent.
—Mekado Murphy, New York Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flashback
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Noun
On Orange Is the New Black, Big Boo, a butch lesbian, wields her strap-on in a flashback scene.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 23 May 2025
No wonder star and producer Cruise and his director Christopher McQuarrie include flashbacks to all the previous M:I films.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 May 2025
Verb
Production came through with the receipts, flashing back to moments that show Porsha hasn’t exactly been the model best friend.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 May 2025
Once all is laid out, the scene flashes back to a conversation between Sammie and another musician, Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), who explains Sammie’s skill for the blues and the responsibility that comes with his talent.
—Mekado Murphy, New York Times, 2 May 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 3 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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