en·coun·ter
in-ˈkau̇n-tər 
en-
encountered; encountering
in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ
en-
1
a
: to meet as an adversary or enemy
b
: to engage in conflict with
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly
encounter difficulties
: to meet especially by chance
1
: a meeting between hostile factions or persons : a sudden often violent clash
an encounter between the police and demonstrators
2
a
: a chance meeting
an accidental encounter
b
: a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person
a romantic encounter
3
: a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body
the Martian encounter of a spacecraft
Examples of encounter in a Sentence
Verb
We encountered problems early in the project.
The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.
Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.
Noun
a chance encounter with a famous writer
The tour boat had a close encounter with a breeching humpback whale.
There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.
It was her first encounter with cigarettes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025
But the Cygnus spacecraft's journey from the launch pad to the ISS encountered trouble early Tuesday, when the ship's main engine shut down earlier than planned during two burns to fine-tune its approach to the space station.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Think of allowing the event and attendees time to breathe, to mix and mingle, to have those irreplaceable human encounters upon which businesses are built.
—Shawn Pierce, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
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Verb
Visitors will navigate eerie scenes and encounter characters like The Nun, The Crooked Man and The Ferryman.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025
But the Cygnus spacecraft's journey from the launch pad to the ISS encountered trouble early Tuesday, when the ship's main engine shut down earlier than planned during two burns to fine-tune its approach to the space station.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
The story of a violent but ultimately fruitful encounter between Norman and Saxon worlds was coherent, accessible, and deeply relevant to the ideas and customs that still undergird much of British (and American) life.
—Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Think of allowing the event and attendees time to breathe, to mix and mingle, to have those irreplaceable human encounters upon which businesses are built.
—Shawn Pierce, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encounter. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encounter
1 of 2 verb
en·coun·ter
in-ˈkau̇nt-ər
encountered; encountering
-ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ
-ˈkau̇n-triŋ
1
: to engage in a struggle with as an enemy or rival
2
: to come upon face-to-face : meet
3
: to come upon unexpectedly
encountered problems
encounter
2 of 2 noun1
: a clash between enemies or rivals
also
: a very unfriendly meeting
had an encounter with the boss
2
a
: a chance meeting
b
: a meeting face-to-face
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