Definition

1. Noun:
   • A strip of metal used in construction: A thin, typically waterproof sheet (often of metal, but also plastic or other materials) installed at joints or angles on a roof, around a chimney, or at wall openings (like windows and doors) to prevent water from leaking into a structure.
   • A brief, intense burst or display: A sudden, vivid, and often short-lived instance of something, such as light, emotion, or sensation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Construction):
  • The roofer installed new flashing around the base of the chimney to stop the leak.
  • Proper flashing is essential where the roof meets the side wall.
• Noun (Brief Burst):
  • He felt a flashing of anger before he could control his reaction.
  • The patient reported occasional flashings of sharp pain in her knee.

Advanced Usage

• "through-flashing" or "step-flashing": Specific installation methods where pieces of flashing are integrated with roofing materials (like shingles) in a stepped pattern, commonly used where a roof meets a vertical wall.
  • The contractor used step-flashing where the new dormer met the existing roof slope.

Variants and Related Words

• Flash (verb/noun): The root word, meaning to emit a brief, bright light or to appear suddenly and briefly.
  • A light flashed in the distance.
• Counterflashing (noun): A second piece of flashing, often embedded in a wall, that covers the top edge of the base flashing to provide a double layer of protection.
  • The masonry wall had a reglet to hold the counterflashing.

Synonyms

• (Construction): Weatherproofing strip, drip edge (for a specific type of edge flashing), apron flashing.
• (Brief Burst): Burst, flare, flicker, pang, stab, surge.

Related Phrases

• "Flashing light": A light that turns on and off repeatedly. (Note: This phrase uses "flashing" as an adjective, not the target noun).
  • The police car had a flashing light on its roof.
• "Flashing eyes": Eyes that shine brightly with a strong emotion like anger or excitement. (Note: This phrase uses "flashing" as an adjective).
  • She turned to him with flashing eyes.

Related Idioms

• "In a flash": Very quickly; instantly. (This idiom uses the related noun "flash").
  • I'll be back in a flash.

Noun

1. sheet metal shaped and attached to a roof for strength and weatherproofing
2. a short vivid experience
   • a flash of emotion swept over him
   • the flashings of pain were a warning