oc·ca·sion
ə-ˈkā-zhən 
1
: a favorable opportunity or circumstance
did not have occasion to talk with them
2
a
: a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason
The occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance.
b
: an occurrence or condition that brings something about
especially
: the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause
His insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel.
3
4
a
: a need arising from a particular circumstance
knowledge for which he will never have any occasion—
C. H. Grandgent
C. H. Grandgent
b
archaic
: a personal want or need
—usually used in plural
5
6
: a special event or ceremony : celebration
birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions
Examples of occasion in a Sentence
Noun
When versatility is fashion's best justification, the idea of a beautiful lace blouse or dress that can step up to a special occasion and then look just as good under a man-tailored jacket or a fine-gauge long-line cardigan the next day is persuasive.
—S. Mower, Vogue, September 2008
On several occasions, people have observed dark, kilometer-wide bands on the ocean surface as tsunamis approached or passed by …
—S. Perkins, Science News, 21 Feb. 2004
Not so long ago, Rolling Stone's David Fricke asked the late Kurt Cobain whom he admired among "established" rock bands. Cobain unhesitatingly named R.E.M., using the occasion to send the band members a virtual mash note for remaining true to their muse and to themselves and for refusing to be swayed by the shifting winds of fashion and commerciality.
—Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 1994
To publish a definitive collection of short stories in one's late 60s seems to me, as an American writer, a traditional and a dignified occasion, eclipsed in no way by the fact that a great many of the stories in my current collection were written in my underwear.
—John Cheever, in Ann Charters, The Story and Its Writer, 1987
birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions
They marked the occasion with their families.
She wrote a song especially for the occasion.
Roses are the perfect flower for any occasion.
On the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a vacation to Paris.
We had occasion to watch her perform last summer.
The boys never had occasion to meet each other.
She never found an occasion to suggest her ideas.
He took the occasion to make an announcement.
Verb
It was that desire that occasioned a trip to Berlin this spring: a desire to wander through the city's arty demimonde and to eat beside its residents …
—Sam Sifton, New York Times, 22 June 2008
"I made bow ties," Sally says very assuredly, after the long silence occasioned by my unwanted kiss, during which we both realized we are not about to head upstairs for any fun.
—Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1996
the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion
S. Mower, Vogue, September 2008
On several occasions, people have observed dark, kilometer-wide bands on the ocean surface as tsunamis approached or passed by …
—S. Perkins, Science News, 21 Feb. 2004
Not so long ago, Rolling Stone's David Fricke asked the late Kurt Cobain whom he admired among "established" rock bands. Cobain unhesitatingly named R.E.M., using the occasion to send the band members a virtual mash note for remaining true to their muse and to themselves and for refusing to be swayed by the shifting winds of fashion and commerciality.
—Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 1994
To publish a definitive collection of short stories in one's late 60s seems to me, as an American writer, a traditional and a dignified occasion, eclipsed in no way by the fact that a great many of the stories in my current collection were written in my underwear.
—John Cheever, in Ann Charters, The Story and Its Writer, 1987
birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions
They marked the occasion with their families.
She wrote a song especially for the occasion.
Roses are the perfect flower for any occasion.
On the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a vacation to Paris.
We had occasion to watch her perform last summer.
The boys never had occasion to meet each other.
She never found an occasion to suggest her ideas.
He took the occasion to make an announcement.
Verb
It was that desire that occasioned a trip to Berlin this spring: a desire to wander through the city's arty demimonde and to eat beside its residents …
—Sam Sifton, New York Times, 22 June 2008
"I made bow ties," Sally says very assuredly, after the long silence occasioned by my unwanted kiss, during which we both realized we are not about to head upstairs for any fun.
—Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1996
the announcement concerning the change in scheduling occasioned much confusion
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
The Illini have had two first-rounders in the same draft on two occasions: 1989 with Nick Anderson (No. 11) and Kenny Battle (No. 27) and 2005 with Deron Williams (No. 3) and Luther Head (No. 24).
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
The singer is facing two additional charges, one for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and another for carrying an offensive weapon.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for occasion
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Kate Middleton recently wore a Self-Portrait design on two recent occasions.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
The Illini have had two first-rounders in the same draft on two occasions: 1989 with Nick Anderson (No. 11) and Kenny Battle (No. 27) and 2005 with Deron Williams (No. 3) and Luther Head (No. 24).
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Verb
The pair are further charged with assaulting Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm.
—Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
The singer is facing two additional charges, one for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and another for carrying an offensive weapon.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for occasion
Cite this Entry
“Occasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occasion. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
occasion
1 of 2 noun
oc·ca·sion
ə-ˈkā-zhən
1
: a favorable opportunity : a good chance
sorry not to have had occasion to meet them
2
: a situation that provides a reason
an occasion for rejoicing
3
: something that brings about an event
the remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel
4
: a time at which something happens
on the occasion of the wedding
5
: a need that arises
have occasion to travel
6
: a special event or ceremony : celebration
a big occasion
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