Flashpoint Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

The temperature at which a substance can catch fire. Also used to describe a situation or place where conflict or trouble is likely to start.

Usage & Nuances

'Flashpoint' is both a technical chemistry term and a metaphor for tense situations. In conflict or political news, it describes the moment or place where trouble may erupt. Don't confuse with 'boiling point' (which means temperature at which liquid turns to gas or a person losing their temper). Common phrases: 'reach a flashpoint', 'the flashpoint of the situation'.

• Spanish: punto de inflamación - punto crítico
• Portuguese (BR): ponto de fulgor - momento crítico
• Portuguese (PT): ponto de inflamação - momento crítico
• Chinese (Simplified): 燃点 - 危机关头
• Chinese (Traditional): 燃點 - 危機關頭
• Hindi: ज्वलनांक - संकट बिंदु
• Arabic: نقطة الوميض - نقطة الانفجار
• Bengali: ফ্ল্যাশপয়েন্ট - দাহনাঙ্ক
• Russian: точка воспламенения - очаг напряжённости
• Japanese: 発火点 - 緊張点
• Vietnamese: điểm bốc cháy - điểm bùng phát
• Korean: 발화점 - 분쟁의 발단
• Turkish: parlama noktası - gerilim noktası
• Urdu: فلیش پوائنٹ - اشتعال نقطہ
• Indonesian: titik nyala - titik ketegangan

Example Sentences

Tensions reached a flashpoint after the announcement.

natural

This could be the flashpoint that starts a bigger conflict.

natural

That region has always been a political flashpoint.

natural

Gasoline has a low flashpoint, so it catches fire easily.

basic

The city became a flashpoint for protests.

basic

The flashpoint of alcohol is much lower than that of water.

basic