event

noun

i-ˈvent 

1

a

: something that happens : occurrence

The accident was caused by an odd chain/sequence/series of events.

It's hard to predict the course of events. [=to predict what will happen]

b

: a noteworthy happening

was there to witness the event

c

: a social occasion or activity

a calendar of events

d

: an adverse or damaging medical occurrence

a heart attack or other cardiac event

2

: any of the contests in a program of sports

3

a

: a postulated outcome, condition, or eventuality

In the event that I am not there, call the house.

b

: the final outcome or determination of a legal action

c

archaic : outcome

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

eventless

i-ˈvent-ləs 

adjective

see also:

at all events in any event in the event

Synonyms of event

• incident
• thing
• circumstance
• occurrence
• episode
• happening
• occasion
• affair

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

The event was originally scheduled to take place on the same date, but at a location more than 8,000 miles away at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. —Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

The clubs, civic organizations and community events that once brought our forefathers together are largely fading away. —Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026

The controversy around the collaboration took off when Spurs player Luke Kornet posted a blog encouraging the league to cancel the event, which was later posted as an opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Gomez, Belen Cano and Alina Skrocki will be participating in all three events — platform, 1-meter springboard and 3-meter springboard. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin eventus, from evenire to happen, from e- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 3c

Phrases Containing event

• event horizon
• field event
• in any event
• in the event
• in the event of
• mass extinction event
• media event

Rhymes for event

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• extent

Kids Definition

event

noun

i-ˈvent 

1

a

: something usually of importance that happens

b

: a social occasion or activity (as a party)

2

: eventuality

in the event of rain the ceremony will be held indoors

3

: any of the contests in a program of sports

track-and-field events

4

: a possible result in an experiment in probability or statistics

rolling a 7 is an event in the throwing of two dice

Medical Definition

event

noun

i-ˈvent 

: an adverse or damaging medical occurrence

a heart attack or other cardiac event

Legal Definition

event

noun

1

: something that happens : occurrence

2

: the issue or outcome of a legal action or proceeding as finally determined