Main Entry: ¹oc·ca·sion

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈkā-zhən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin occasion-, occasio, from occidere to fall, fall down, from ob- toward + cadere to fall — more at ob-, chance

Date: 14th century

1 : a favorable opportunity or circumstance <did not have occasion to talk with them>
2 a : a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason <the occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance> b : an occurrence or condition that brings something about; especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause <his insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel>
3 a : happening, incident b : a time at which something happens : instance
4 a : a need arising from a particular circumstance b archaic : a personal want or need —usually used in plural
5 plural : affairs, business
6 : a special event or ceremony : celebration

— on occasion : from time to time