episode

noun

ep·​i·​sode ˈe-pə-ˌsōd How to pronounce episode (audio)
also
-ˌzōd How to pronounce episode (audio)
1
: a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work: such as
a
: the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs
b
: a developed situation that is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative : incident
c
: one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes
d
: the part of a serial presented at one performance
2
: an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series
3
: a digressive subdivision in a musical composition
Choose the Right Synonym for episode

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 episode in a Sentence

It was a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work. He tried to forget the whole embarrassing episode. a painful episode from my childhood Millions of people are expected to watch the show's final episode.
Recent Examples on the Web Air Date and Time Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of TV will comprise four episodes that will air on Investigation Discovery (ID) and stream simultaneously on Max on Saturday, March 17 on Sunday, March 18 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET both nights. Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2024 This could really start more conversations — if more people come forward with stories to tell, would you guys be interested in doing more episodes of this? Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024 As season 20 of 'Grey's Anatomy' kicks off, take a look at how the cast spends time together off camera — both on and off the set For nearly twenty years, Grey's Anatomy has made viewers feel joy, heartbreak and everything in between — sometimes all within the same episode! Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 According to a spokesperson for Schneider, all costumes, storylines, makeup, and dialogue were approved by network executives on both coasts, a standards and practices team reviewed the scripts, and programming executives gave the thumbs up for all episodes. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024 The first four episodes of the season already released in November. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 As seen in the episode, the producers of the show surprised Winton by seating him in the audience next to several now-adult survivors of the Kindertransport. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The parking lot is an attraction in its own right, marking the scene where Audrey Horne (Sherilyn Fenn) changes her shoes before heading off to school in the pilot episode. Katie Rife, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2024 Kat Graham and Big Bird kicked off the mindfulness series and families can also expect other celebrities in future episodes. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'episode.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek epeisodion, from neuter of epeisodios coming in besides, from epi- + eisodios coming in, from eis into (akin to Greek en in) + hodos road, journey — more at in

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of episode was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near episode

Cite this Entry

“Episode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/episode. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

episode

noun
ep·​i·​sode ˈep-ə-ˌsōd How to pronounce episode (audio)
: an event that is part of a longer story or of history or a life but which is viewed as complete by itself
episodic
ˌep-ə-ˈsäd-ik
adjective

Medical Definition

episode

noun
ep·​i·​sode
ˈep-ə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd
: an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series
especially : an occurrence of a usually recurrent pathological abnormal condition
a manic episode
hypoglycemic episodes
episodic
ˌep-ə-ˈsäd-ik also -ˈzäd-
adjective
episodically adverb

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