occurrence

noun oc·cur·rence \ ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s , -ˈkə-rən(t)s \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: occurrence in a Sentence

Definition of occurrence

1 : something that occurs

a startling occurrence

Lightning is a natural occurrence.

2 : the action or fact of happening or occurring —often used with of

the repeated occurrence of petty theft in the locker room

See occurrence defined for English-language learners

See occurrence defined for kids

Examples of occurrence in a Sentence

Getting headaches has become a common occurrence for her.
the recent occurrences of the disease
Lightning is a natural occurrence.

Recent Examples of occurrence from the Web

Caracas has a history of fatal occurrences at nightclubs.

— New York Times, "At Least 17 Dead in Stampede at Graduation Party in Venezuela," 16 June 2018
The Lake County Circuit Court’s Jury Commission received notification of several occurrences in which residents had been called by a male identifying himself as a Lake County sheriff’s deputy, the statement added.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Lake County residents warned of jury duty scam that might be burglary ruse," 15 June 2018
Also expect to read different depictions of the same occurrences.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Examining the Zeke Upshaw Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against the NBA," 1 June 2018
Last but certainly not least on the list of significant cosmic occurrences this month, a full moon in Capricorn illuminates the night sky on Thursday, June 28, lighting up your personal finance zone.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What June's Sagittarius Horoscope Means for You," 29 May 2018
After a night of strange occurrences at home, Lu (Jiayin Lei) and Xiao (Liya Tong) wake up in the same bed.

— katie walsh, latimes.com, "Stars of Chinese rom-com 'How Long Will I Love You?' succeed in warping time," 24 May 2018
But the trio of the scenes are squarely in the paranormal category, the kind of occurrences so difficult to explain away.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Review: 'Ghosts Among Us' - Orlando Fringe 2018," 20 May 2018
Both of these unpleasant occurrences, which grew more common as the game got older, contributed to MapleStory’s steady decline.

— shannon liao, The Verge, "MapleStory gets an extra life with a mobile game and 3D sequel," 11 May 2018
There cannot be many future duchesses who have been touched so closely by random gun violence, that most typical of American freak occurrences.

— lauren collins, The New Yorker, "Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Royal Romance," 11 May 2018

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

First Known Use of occurrence

1539

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

occurrence Synonyms

Synonyms

affair, circumstance, episode, event, happening, incident, occasion, thing;

Related Words

coincidence, fluke, freak;

landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point;

adventure, experience, time;

happenchance, happenstance;

accident, crisis, emergency, juncture;

achievement, deed, exploit, feat;

news, tidings;

Synonym Discussion of occurrence

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

OCCURRENCE Defined for English Language Learners

occurrence

noun

Definition of occurrence for English Language Learners

: something that happens
: the fact of happening or occurring

OCCURRENCE Defined for Kids

occurrence

noun oc·cur·rence \ ə-ˈkər-əns \

Definition of occurrence for Students

1 : something that happens

Lightning is a natural occurrence.

2 : the action or process of happening There's been a lower occurrence of the disease.

Law Dictionary

occurrence

noun oc·cur·rence

legal Definition of occurrence

: something that takes place; especially : an accident, event, or continuing condition that causes personal or property damage that is unintended or unexpected from the standpoint of an insured party making a claim