event

1 something that happens dinnertime was devoted to talking over the day's events, not to watching television Synonyms affair, circumstance, episode, hap, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing Related Words coincidence, co-occurrence, fluke, freak; landmark, milepost, milestone, page, phenomenon, turning point; adventure, experience, time; happenchance, happenstance; accident, crisis, emergency, juncture; achievement, deed, exploit, feat; news, tidings

2 something that might happen in the event of rain, graduation ceremonies will be held indoors Synonyms case, contingence, contingency, contingent, eventuality, possibility Related Words probability; accident, chance, hap, hazard, risk

3 a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize figure skating is usually one of the most popular events in the winter Olympics Synonyms bout, competition, contest, game, match, matchup, meet, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tournament, tourneyRelated Words athletics, sport; battle, conflict, scrimmage, skirmish, struggle, tug-of-war, tussle; championship, national(s); final, nightcap, play-off, semifinal; derby, field day, gymkhana, open, outing; biathlon, decathlon, heptathlon, pentathlon, triathlon; marathon, race, ultramarathon; heat, round, run, set; rally, volley; round-robin, rubber, runoff, sudden death; dead heat, photo finish, seesaw; classic

4 a social gathering the mayor's evenings are often tied up with one event after another Synonyms affair, bash, binge, blast, blowout, do, party, fete (or fête), function, get-together, powwow, reception, shindigRelated Words benefit, fund-raiser; ball, dance, formal, prom; celebration, gala, occasion; bacchanal, bacchanalia, orgy, saturnalia; bake, clambake, cocktail party, hen party, house party, housewarming, icebreaker, kaffeeklatsch, kegger (also keg party), klatch (also klatsch), masquerade, meet and greet, mixer, salon, shower, social, soiree (or soirée), stag, supper, symposium, tea, tea party