episode

noun

ep·i·sode | \ ˈe-pə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd

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

Other Words from episode Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about episode

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

When Luke tweeted on Monday night about the Top 14 episode. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'American Idol' Fans Attack Luke Bryan After Judges' “Huge Mistake” in Top 14 Episode," 9 Apr. 2019 The ongoing pause is intended to give Hallmark time to rework the upcoming episodes, but there's no word on whether the network plans to cut Abigail's character completely or simply find a replacement. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "'When Calls the Heart' Star Erin Krakow Speaks Out Amid the Lori Loughlin Drama," 9 Apr. 2019 During the April 8 episode of the podcast Inside Trader Joe’s, Mark Sloan, VP of Marketing Product, and Tara Miller, Marketing Director, announced that seven new products will be sold at Trader Joe’s this spring and summer. — Sophia Caraballo, Woman's Day, "Trader Joe's Is Releasing 7 New Products for Spring and Summer," 9 Apr. 2019 Once again courtesy of Reality Steve, Luke Parker is already the top contender, and at that point the show had only shot four episodes. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Who Wins the Bachelorette and Hannah Brown's Heart? Here's Everything We Know," 8 Apr. 2019 As always, thanks to engineer Brett Fuchs for recording and mixing the episode. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Year in Travel 2018: Travelogue Podcast," 28 Dec. 2018 In this week’s episode of our Twitter talk show, Today IRL, host Jake DuPree talks all things body positivity and confidence! — Erika Trombley, Seventeen, "Olympic Figure Skater Mirai Nagasu Shares Her Confidence Tips and They’re Relatable AF," 15 Mar. 2019 So, why the decision to make this week’s episode longer? — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Tonight's 'Last Man Standing' Episode Is Going to Be Way Different Than Usual," 15 Feb. 2019 The Next Generation certainly had a few rough patches in its opening episodes and subsequent series weren't immune from the first season slump either. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "'Star Trek: Discovery' Gets Back to Basics," 25 Jan. 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near episode

Statistics for episode

Last Updated

13 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for episode

The first known use of episode was in 1678

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More Definitions for episode

episode

noun

English Language Learners Definition of episode

: 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

See the full definition for episode in the English Language Learners Dictionary

episode

noun

ep·i·sode | \ ˈe-pə-ˌsōd

Kids Definition of episode

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

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 a manic episode hypoglycemic episodes

Other Words from episode

episodic \ ˌep-ə-ˈsäd-ik also -ˈzäd- \ adjective

episodically \ -i-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

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