incident

[in-si-duhnt]

noun

1. an individual occurrence or event.

   Synonyms: happening

2. a distinct piece of action, or an episode, as in a story or play.

3. something that occurs casually in connection with something else.

4. something appertaining or attaching to something else.

5. an occurrence of seemingly minor importance, especially involving nations or factions between which relations are strained and sensitive, that can lead to serious consequences, as an outbreak of hostilities or a war.

   border incident; international incident.

6. an embarrassing occurrence, especially of a social nature.

adjective

1. likely or apt to happen (usually followed byto ).

2. naturally appertaining.

   hardships incident to the life of an explorer.

3. conjoined or attaching, especially as subordinate to a principal thing.

4. falling or striking on something, as light rays.

incident

/ ˈɪnsɪdənt /

noun

1. a distinct or definite occurrence; event

2. a minor, subsidiary, or related event or action

3. a relatively insignificant event that might have serious consequences, esp in international politics

4. a public disturbance

   the police had reports of an incident outside a pub

5. the occurrence of something interesting or exciting

   the trip was not without incident

adjective

1. related (to) or dependent (on)

2. having a subsidiary or minor relationship (with)

3. (esp of a beam of light or particles) arriving at or striking a surface

   incident electrons

Other Word Forms

• incidentless adjective
• nonincident noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incident¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin incident- (stem of incidēns “a happening,” noun use of present participle of Latin verb incidere “to fall upon, befall”), equivalent to Latin in- in- ² + -cid- (combining form of cad- “fall”) + -ent- -ent; cadenza

Word History and Origins

Origin of incident¹

C15: from Medieval Latin incidens an event, from Latin incidere, literally: to fall into, hence befall, happen, from _in- ² + cadere to fall

Synonym Study

See event.

Example Sentences

The incident happened on the run to the final corner, where Norris was on the inside coming into the pits as Verstappen sought to complete his lap.

From BBC

But the fair's final season was not without incident - in August, a cart on the Wacky Worm ride derailed, with 13 children and one adult receiving minor injuries.

From BBC

“We extend our support to Michael, his family, and all in Simi Valley who have been impacted by this hateful and traumatic incident,” she said in the Aug. 7 statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Network Rail Scotland said there were more than 60 incidents during the first two hours of the storm on Friday evening.

From BBC

“I’ve been briefed on the ongoing incident outside of City Hall, which is currently being evacuated out of an abundance of caution,” L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• circumstance 
• episode 
• event 
• fact 
• matter 
• scene