episode

noun ep·i·sode \ ˈe-pə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of episode

1 : a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work: such as

a : the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs

b : a developed situation that is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative : incident

c : one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes

d : the part of a serial presented at one performance

2 : an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series

3 : a digressive subdivision in a musical composition

See episode defined for English-language learners

See episode defined for kids

Examples of episode in a Sentence

It was a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work.
He tried to forget the whole embarrassing episode.
a painful episode from my childhood
Millions of people are expected to watch the show's final episode.

Recent Examples of episode from the Web

Her depressive episodes, meanwhile, left Carey feeling sad, lonely, and drained.

— emma sarran webster, Allure, "Mariah Carey Just Opened Up About Her Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis," 11 Apr. 2018
The possible use of such weapons is a staggering episode that has drawn the world’s attention back on the many atrocities carried out by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

— w.j. hennigan, Time, "U.S., Allies Weighing a More Severe Response to Syria's Suspected Chemical Weapons Attack," 10 Apr. 2018
It is currently planned to film a dozen episodes of the upcoming new weekly show, called Songwriter Showcase.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 10 Apr. 2018
About the Data Scandal Share this episode with your friends Facebook was built to get people to use it more and share more frequently.

— sarah frier, Bloomberg.com, "Zuckerberg’s Go-To Strategy Faces Scrutiny in Congress," 10 Apr. 2018
Whether the sweep will help prosecutors make a case that Cohen committed federal crimes related to the Stormy Daniels payoff or other episodes remains to be seen.

— cristian farias, Daily Intelligencer, "FBI Raids Show the Investigation of Michael Cohen Is No ‘Witch Hunt’," 10 Apr. 2018
This episode of the Cop Shop Podcast, our audio journey into Macon-area police report oddities, includes fight featuring potted meat, a safe thief and a shoplifted teddy bear.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "He assaulted his blind brother at church — with a bowl of ice cream, Texas cops say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 10 Apr. 2018
By coordinating with post-acute and primary health providers, these new delivery networks take on responsibility for their patients’ health over an entire lifetime, not just across a single episode of care.

— rita e. numerof, STAT, "Microhospitals and healthplexes offer a peek at the future of health care," 10 Apr. 2018
Sign up for our newsletter to get updates on upcoming episodes and bonuses.

— lisa arthur, www.feloniousflorida.com, "The Faces of the Killers," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'episode.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of episode

Greek epeisodion, from neuter of epeisodios coming in besides, from epi- + eisodios coming in, from eis into (akin to Greek en in) + hodos road, journey — more at in

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1678

See Words from the same year

episode Synonyms

Synonyms

affair, circumstance, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing;

Related Words

coincidence, fluke, freak;

landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point;

adventure, experience, time;

happenchance, happenstance;

accident, crisis, emergency, juncture;

achievement, deed, exploit, feat;

news, tidings;

Synonym Discussion of episode

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

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

EPISODE Defined for English Language Learners

episode

noun

Definition of episode for English Language Learners

: an event or a short period of time that is important or unusual
: a television show, radio show, etc., that is one part of a series
: an occurrence of an illness

EPISODE Defined for Kids

episode

noun ep·i·sode \ ˈe-pə-ˌsōd \

Definition of episode for Students

1 : an event or one of a series of events that stands out clearly

I'm trying to forget the whole embarrassing episode.

2 : one in a series of connected stories or performances

Medical Dictionary

episode

noun ep·i·sode \ ˈep-ə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd \

medical Definition of episode

: an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series; especially : an occurrence of a usually recurrent pathological abnormal condition