Definition of spontaneous combustion in US English:
spontaneous combustion
nounspänˈtānēəs kəmˈbəsCHənspɑnˈteɪniəs kəmˈbəstʃən
The ignition of organic matter (e.g. hay or coal) without apparent cause, typically through heat generated internally by rapid oxidation.
Example sentencesExamples
- Investigators have ruled out any form of spontaneous combustion of the chemical, which is known to be relatively stable in the absence of any detonator.
- To better ventilate the haymows and prevent spontaneous combustion of freshly cut hay, he designed the side walls of two of the barns to end about 3 feet below the eaves.
- There were no arrows of fire, only a spontaneous combustion from within the huts and houses.