occasion

noun oc·ca·sion \ ə-ˈkā-zhən \

Definition of occasion

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 a :happening, incident

Everybody has been terribly kind since my recent sad occasion.
—Thomas Kelly

b :a time at which something happens :instance

on the occasion of his daughter's wedding

4 a :a need arising from a particular circumstance

knowledge for which he will never have any occasion
—C. H. Grandgent

b archaic :a personal want or need —usually used in plural

5 occasions plural :affairs, business

minded his own occasions and was content for other folk to mind theirs
—S. H. Adams

6 :a special event or ceremony :celebration

birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions

— on occasion

:from time to time

He lives in the country, though he visits the city on occasion.

See occasion defined for English-language learners

See occasion defined for kids

Examples of occasion in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of occasion from the Web

In 1976, sushi was still largely a food for special occasions.

— tom redmond, Bloomberg.com, "How One Man Revolutionized the Modern Sushi Industry," 30 Aug. 2017
And Phillips' mother flew to Philadelphia to surprise him for the big occasion.

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Brandon Phillips reaches 2,000 hits with mom on hand in Philadelphia," 30 Aug. 2017
Well, continuing the dorm décor IRL series, University of North Carolina freshman Alexis Ard’s dalmatian-print-chic college room is one of those occasions.

— katelyn chef, Teen Vogue, "DIY Dorm Decor at University of North Carolina," 29 Aug. 2017
Yet Yost has stressed, one more than one occasion, the importance of the defense at the shortstop position and in the outfield at Kauffman Stadium.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "The bottom two hitters in the Royals lineup? They’re historically bad," 28 Aug. 2017
Liza Avery Reynolds and Justin Joseph Merolla were married Aug. 26 in Chilmark, Mass. Ryan Browne, a friend of the couple who became ordained as a Universal Life minister for the occasion, officiated at the Allen Farm.

— liza reynolds, New York Times, "Liza Reynolds, Justin Merolla," 27 Aug. 2017
Trump has built a rapport over the phone with Strange on several occasions.

— chicagotribune.com, "Trump considers backing away from Strange in heated Alabama Senate runoff," 25 Aug. 2017
Case in point: an hour-long rally in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday night where Trump used the occasion to vent his frustrations with the media, the Republican party, and how he's being perceived by the general public.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "The Most Bizarre Moments From Donald Trump's Wild, Hour-Long Arizona Rally," 23 Aug. 2017
To toast the occasion, get to your nearest rooftop with 7 Moons wine, a red blend which celebrates the seven phases of the moon with a blend of seven grape varietals, and oh so cool label.

— miamiherald, "Stuff celebrities love: A perfect wine to celebrate the eclipse," 21 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of occasion

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin occasion-, occasio, from occidere to fall, fall down, from ob- toward + cadere to fall — more at ob-, chance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

occasion Synonyms

Synonyms

moment, time

occasion

verb oc·ca·sion \ ə-ˈkā-zhən \

Definition of occasion

occasioned; occasioning play \ə-ˈkāzh-niŋ, -ˈkā-zhə-\

transitive verb

:bring about, cause

See occasion defined for English-language learners

Examples of occasion in a Sentence

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 of occasion from the Web

The ongoing discussion of Nobel Laureate James M. Buchanan’s work, occasioned by the publication of a new and controversial book, helps focus attention on Buchanan’s role in political science.

— georg vanberg, Washington Post, "Was Nobel Laureate James Buchanan really opposed to democracy? Not at all.," 4 Aug. 2017
Despite delays occasioned by John McCain’s surgery and, again, implacable opposition from a sufficient body of senators, the bill was voted upon on July 26.

— max bloom, National Review, "Process Matters," 1 Aug. 2017
The removals occasioned threats, protests, and celebrations.

— mitch landrieu, The Atlantic, ""We Can't Walk Away From This Truth"," 23 May 2017
It was occasioned by Kennedy’s having reached an agreement on the limited nuclear-test-ban treaty with the Soviets, on July 25th.

— thomas mallon, The New Yorker, "Trying to Remember J.F.K.," 22 May 2017
And if you're tempted to buy into the Schwarber-for-a-pitcher narrative occasioned by his sluggish start, read the recent Sports Illustrated piece on the Schwarber-Zielinski relationship.

— dan mcgrath, chicagotribune.com, "Memories of former Cubs scout Stan Zielinski still bring smiles," 21 May 2017
But the presidency has also occasioned a whole new set of disputes.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "The Scandals of Donald Trump: Presidential Edition," 5 May 2017
The vituperation was occasioned by the HFC’s role rescuing Republicans from embracing an unpopular first draft of legislation to replace Obamacare.

— george will, Twin Cities, "George Will: What the Freedom Caucus stands for," 13 Apr. 2017
The vituperation was occasioned by the HFC’s role rescuing Republicans from embracing an unpopular first draft of legislation to replace Obamacare.

— george f. will, The Mercury News, "Will: What the conservative House Freedom Caucus stands for," 12 Apr. 2017