backdraft

[ bak-draft, -drahft ]

noun

1. an explosive surge in a fire produced by the sudden mixing of air with other combustible gases.

Word History and Origins

Origin of backdraft¹

First recorded in 1815–25; back ² + draft

Example Sentences

And he appeared just as often in more popular fare, playing a spacey tank commander in “Kelly’s Heroes,” a demented arsonist in “Backdraft” and an authoritarian president in the “Hunger Games” films.

From Seattle Times

Jamie Dobie's box-kicks are almost forcing the Warriors backwards as they get caught in the backdraft.

From BBC

In the ’90s, Swan appeared in a number of high-profile films including Quentin Tarantino’s “Natural Born Killers” and Ron Howard’s “Backdraft.”

From Los Angeles Times

Swan’s additional film credits include “Who’s That Girl,” “Backdraft” and “Going All the Way.”

From Los Angeles Times

Fire Commissioner William Renaldo described an explosion caught on video as a backdraft, which he said occurs when oxygen is “sucked into the building and then blown back.”

From Seattle Times