event

[ih-vent]

noun

1. something that happens or is regarded as happening; an occurrence, especially one of some importance.

   Synonyms: circumstance, case, affair, happening

2. the outcome, issue, or result of anything.

   The venture had no successful event.

   Synonyms: consequence

3. something that occurs in a certain place during a particular interval of time.

4. Physics.,  in relativity, an occurrence that is sharply localized at a single point in space and instant of time.

5. Sports.,  any of the contests in a program made up of one sport or of a number of sports.

   The broad jump event followed the pole vault.

event

/ ɪˈvɛnt /

noun

1. anything that takes place or happens, esp something important; happening; incident

2. the actual or final outcome; result (esp in the phrases in the event, after the event )

3. any one contest in a programme of sporting or other contests

   the high jump is his event

4. philosophy

   1. an occurrence regarded as a bare instant of space-time as contrasted with an object which fills space and has endurance

   2. an occurrence regarded in isolation from, or contrasted with, human agency Compare act

5. regardless of circumstances; in any case

6. in case of; if (such a thing) happens

   in the event of rain the race will be cancelled

7. if it should happen that

verb

1. to take part or ride (a horse) in eventing

Other Word Forms

• eventless adjective
• superevent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of event¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin ēventus “occurrence, outcome,” equivalent to ēven(īre) “to come out, fall out, occur” + -tus suffix of verbal action

Word History and Origins

Origin of event¹

C16: from Latin ēventus a happening, from ēvenīre to come forth, happen, from venīre to come

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the event of, if there should be.

   In the event of rain, the party will be held indoors.

2. in any event, regardless of what happens; in any case. Also at all events.

3. in the event that, if it should happen that; in case.

   In the event that I can't come back by seven, you can eat without me.

see blessed event; in any case (event); in case (in the event); in the unlikely event.

Synonym Study

Event, episode, incident, occurrence are terms for a happening. An event is usually an important happening: historical events. An episode is one of a series of happenings in a person's life or in a narrative: an episode in one's life. An incident is an event of usually minor importance: an amusing incident in a play. An occurrence is something that happens, often by surprise: His arrival was an unexpected occurrence.

Example Sentences

In any event, however, Stewart’s absence will still hurt.

From Los Angeles Times

For instance, she began thinking about the jollof record more than a year before the event.

From BBC

The King's Foundation event, held at Hatfield House, heard from more planners about how other new developments had been inspired.

From BBC

Though the event was scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, it wasn’t until 2:30 that Cardi arrived on the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Ever involved in the political events of the moment, she never shied away from performing songs dedicated to revolutionaries like Che Guevara.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accident 
• act 
• action 
• affair 
• appearance 
• business 
• case 
• celebration 
• ceremony 
• circumstance 
• crisis 
• development 
• episode 
• experience 
• fact 
• holiday 
• incident 
• matter 
• occasion 
• situation