occurrence

noun

oc·​cur·​rence ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s 

-ˈkə-rən(t)s

1

: something that occurs

a startling occurrence

Lightning is a natural occurrence.

2

: the action or fact of happening or occurring

—often used with of

the repeated occurrence of petty theft in the locker room

Synonyms

• affair
• circumstance
• episode
• event
• hap
• happening
• incident
• occasion
• thing

Choose the Right Synonym for occurrence

occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place.

occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

Examples of occurrence in a Sentence

Getting headaches has become a common occurrence for her.

the recent occurrences of the disease

Lightning is a natural occurrence.

Recent Examples on the Web

There was an awkward occurrence several years later, after Jerry Buss had bought the Lakers and fired then-coach Paul Westhead. —Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024

Throughout the event, the fire watch officer maintains a log that details their activities and any noteworthy occurrences. —Kyle Russell, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

The paragraph details an occurrence in which Trump is alleged to have shown a highly sensitive military map to one of his close aides after leaving the presidency. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 June 2024

One of the best films of 2018 stars Natalie Portman as a woman who enters an alien occurrence to find out what happened to her husband there. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

occurr(ent) entry 1 + -ence, perhaps after Middle French occurrence "circumstance"

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

occurrence

noun

oc·​cur·​rence ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s 

-ˈkə-rən(t)s

1

: something that occurs

2

: the action or process of occurring

3

: the presence of a natural form or material in a particular place

the occurrence of oil in Oklahoma

Legal Definition

occurrence

noun

oc·​cur·​rence

: something that takes place

especially : an accident, event, or continuing condition that causes personal or property damage that is unintended or unexpected from the standpoint of an insured party making a claim