flash point

or flashpoint

noun

1. Also Physical Chemistry. the lowest temperature at which a liquid in a specified apparatus will give off sufficient vapor to ignite momentarily on application of a flame.
2. a critical point or stage at which something or someone suddenly causes or creates some significant action:

   A 10 percent drop in mortgage rates will produce a flash point in the housing market.

3. a critical situation or area having the potential of erupting in sudden violence:

   The Mideast has been the flash point for a series of conflicts.

flash point

noun

1. the lowest temperature at which the vapour above a liquid can be ignited in air
2. a critical moment beyond which a situation will inevitably erupt into violence

   the political mood has reached flash point

flash point

1. The lowest temperature at which the vapor of a flammable liquid will ignite in air. The flash point is generally lower than the temperature needed for the liquid itself to ignite.

flash point

1. For a given flammable substance, the lowest temperature at which vapors passing from the substance into the air will catch fire spontaneously if a small flame is present.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flash point¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The incident is the latest flash point in how police use Tasers, particularly against the elderly.

From Washington Post

In sports, Lynch cites a global soccer scandal as a flash point for companies speaking out and becoming more supportive of athletes who do so, too.

From Time

The hope is by being proactive, keeping them safe, that hopefully we can ultimately prevent that flash point crisis moment.

From Washington Post

The flash points become issues of data rights rather than rights of way.

From MIT Technology Review

Any attempt to step around the fire engulfing the American zeitgeist using entertainment, spectacle or absurdity would be, again, an easy flash point to an angry debate regarding tone deafness or lack of awareness.

From Digiday

Afghanistan, and the timetable for withdrawal, will once again be a flash point.

From The Daily Beast

It is Spirit, the flash-point of the soul, which receives and transmits and which lives this living.

From Project Gutenberg

The flash point of an oil is that temperature at which it will form an inflammable vapor.

From Project Gutenberg

The flash point of kerosene may be between 70 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon the grade.

From Project Gutenberg

For illuminating purposes, do not use kerosene with the flash point lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

From Project Gutenberg

They reached the flash-point of action at almost an identical moment.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• turning point