event

noun

i-ˈvent 

1

a

: something that happens : occurrence

b

: a noteworthy happening

c

: a social occasion or activity

d

: an adverse or damaging medical occurrence

a heart attack or other cardiac event

2

: any of the contests in a program of sports

3

a

: a postulated outcome, condition, or eventuality

in the event that I am not there, call the house

b

: the final outcome or determination of a legal action

c

archaic : outcome

4

: the fundamental entity of observed physical reality represented by a point designated by three coordinates of place and one of time in the space-time continuum postulated by the theory of relativity

5

: a subset of the possible outcomes of an experiment

eventless

i-ˈvent-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

at all events

: in any case

in any event

: in any case

in the event

chiefly British

: as it turns out

Synonyms

• incident
• thing
• circumstance
• occurrence
• episode
• happening
• occasion
• affair

Choose the Right Synonym for event

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 event in a Sentence

The article recounted the events of the past year.

the last major event of the summer

He had no memory of the events that happened afterwards.

The accident was caused by an unusual sequence of events.

She likes to arrive at social events early.

It's the only event on the golf tour that she hasn't yet won.

Recent Examples on the Web

Just in time for holiday shopping, Wayfair brought back its biggest sales event for three days only. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025

Today in history Here are just some of the historic events on this date in the past. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025

In some cases, sportsbooks have taken down odds on certain events to protect against manipulation. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025

Because the day is not an official holiday, it's advised to check with your neighborhood and surrounding community for organized events marking National Trick or Treat Day. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin eventus, from evenire to happen, from e- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 3c

Phrases Containing event

• event horizon
• field event
• in the event of
• mass extinction event
• media event

Rhymes for event

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• extent

Kids Definition

event

noun

i-ˈvent 

1

a

: something usually of importance that happens

b

: a social occasion or activity (as a party)

2

: eventuality

in the event of rain the ceremony will be held indoors

3

: any of the contests in a program of sports

track-and-field events

4

: a possible result in an experiment in probability or statistics

rolling a 7 is an event in the throwing of two dice

Medical Definition

event

noun

i-ˈvent 

: an adverse or damaging medical occurrence

a heart attack or other cardiac event

Legal Definition

event

noun

1

: something that happens : occurrence

2

: the issue or outcome of a legal action or proceeding as finally determined