Definition

The lowest temperature at which a liquid's vapors ignite in the presence of an ignition source, used to classify flammability in industrial and safety contexts. It can also mean a tense situation or place where conflict is likely to erupt suddenly.

Example Usage

The chemical's flashpoint is 35 degrees Celsius, so it must be stored carefully. The neighborhood became a flashpoint during the protests.

Origin

Compound of 'flash' (sudden ignition) and 'point' (specific temperature or location).

Fun Fact

Flashpoint is different from autoignition temperature, which is when a substance spontaneously ignites without an external ignition source.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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