spontaneous combustion

American  

noun

1. the ignition of a substance or body from the rapid oxidation of its own constituents without heat from any external source.

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spontaneous combustion British  

noun

1. the ignition of a substance or body as a result of internal oxidation processes, without the application of an external source of heat, occurring in finely powdered ores, coal, straw, etc

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spontaneous combustion Scientific  

1. The bursting into flame of a mass of material as a result of chemical reactions within the substance, without the addition of heat from an external source. Oily rags and damp hay, for example, are subject to spontaneous combustion.

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spontaneous combustion Cultural  

1. A process by which a collection of materials (such as oily rags) catches fire without the application of heat from outside. The oxidation of substances in the materials starts the fire.

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Etymology

Origin of spontaneous combustion

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

"So it started with that flame. It was like spontaneous combustion."

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Each is internet famous, with Golden Boy's powers of spontaneous combustion and superstrength placing him on track to join The Seven right after he graduates.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2023

In this delightfully outrageous tale, Holmes and sidekick John Watson must determine how and why four government officials have died through spontaneous combustion.

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2022

Two years ago, Chairman Wang Chuanfu touted BYD's Blade battery, saying it would "guide the global battery industry back on track" and "put an end to spontaneous combustion" in EVs.

From Reuters • Jun. 30, 2022

This myth about spontaneous combustion would be accepted as scientific fact far longer than might be imagined.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler