event

noun

\i-ˈvent

Definition of event

1a archaic : outcome

b : the final outcome or determination of a legal action

c : a postulated outcome, condition, or eventuality in the event that I am not there, call the house

2a : 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

3 : any of the contests in a program of sports

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

at all events

: in any case

in any event

: in any case

in the event

chiefly British

: as it turns out

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

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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

In the months after the collision, the Department of Transportation went through and updated its recovery plans in the event of another damaging incident. — Mary Beth Griggs, The Verge, "How Alaska fixed its earthquake-shattered roads in just days," 8 Dec. 2018 The service, called Waymo One, will operate via an app similar to those used by ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft, and will include a human driver behind the wheel to intervene in the event of an emergency. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: Going for a ride in Waymo’s just-launched driverless taxi service," 6 Dec. 2018 And a 2021 start would provide security for the team and league in the event NHL players decide next year to terminate their collective-bargaining agreement with the league two years early in September 2020. — Geoff Baker, The Seattle Times, "NHL could announce October 2021 start date for new Seattle team as early as Tuesday," 3 Dec. 2018 In the event the tree isn’t wrapped it can be wrapped in the moving blanket or tarp and then secured to the car. — Andrew Northshield, Popular Mechanics, "How to Tie a Christmas Tree to the Roof of Your Car," 2 Dec. 2018 The shopping event of the years starts early for Old Navy shoppers. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "These Are the Most Amazing Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals for 2018," 26 Nov. 2018 Talk to the parents about what medications are needed in the event of a reaction. — Jessica Migala, Woman's Day, "How to Keep Your Kids Safe From Food Allergies," 19 Nov. 2018 Since no other detectors have reported such events, many scientists dismiss the signals as unexplained instrument errors or background noise. — Adam Hadhazy, Discover Magazine, "Scientists Hunt for A Seeming Paradox: A Magnet With Only One Pole," 13 Nov. 2018 Keep in mind that there is rarely one simple explanation for an airline accident; most are the result of a chain of events. — Barbara Peterson, Condé Nast Traveler, "The FAA, Boeing Issue Alerts for 737 Max 8 Planes After Lion Air Crash," 9 Nov. 2018

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