episode

noun

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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

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 All of which led us to two conclusions on Wednesday’s episode of Buckeye Talk. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Will Ohio State football have the Big Ten’s best quarterback in 2021, regardless of who wins the job?," 12 May 2021 The show, which over time amassed dozens of Daytime Emmys and became a reliable ratings hit, reportedly lost more than a million viewers since the September episode. — Washington Post, "Ellen DeGeneres announces her daytime talk show will end in 2022," 12 May 2021 Each episode features only or two characters in a single — and sometimes claustrophobic — location, while exploring concepts of birth, death, wellness, illness, love, and memory. — Josh Weiss, Forbes, "Why Amazon’s New Sci-Fi Anthology ‘Solos’ Represents A “Return To Form” For Creator David Weil," 12 May 2021 Amy Hubbs, who grew up in Elizabethtown, also writes for the show and helps to ensure each episode includes plenty of Louisville references. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, "Meow! FOX show 'Call Me Kat' about fictional cat cafe in Louisville renewed for season two," 12 May 2021 The vampire fangs in the most recent episode likely point to his role in the independent vampire horror film Rise: Blood Hunter. — Lauren Huff, EW.com, "Who is the Piglet on The Masked Singer? All the clues it's this famous boy bander," 12 May 2021 Wednesday morning's episode features ABC News Chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, who previews Wednesday's vote on Rep. Liz Cheney's GOP leadership position. — Rick Klein, ABC News, "Cheney looms larger for GOP on eve of ouster: The Note," 12 May 2021 Watch this space: The episode has highlighted the growing threat that cyber criminals pose to the world's largest corporations and strategic infrastructure, an issue experts say demands urgent attention. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, "Investors may have misjudged the recovery summer," 12 May 2021 The episode illustrates how vulnerable the nation's energy infrastructure is to infiltration. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Gas prices top $3: What you need to know about gas shortages, Colonial Pipeline cyberattack," 12 May 2021

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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Last Updated

15 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Episode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/episode. Accessed 15 May. 2021.

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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