occasion

[ uh-key-zhuhn ]

/ əˈkeɪ ʒən /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR occasion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a particular time, especially as marked by certain circumstances or occurrences: They met on three occasions.

a special or important time, event, ceremony, celebration, etc.: His birthday will be quite an occasion.

a convenient or favorable time, opportunity, or juncture: This slack period would be a good occasion to take inventory.

the immediate or incidental cause or reason for some action or result: What is the occasion for this uproar?

(in the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead) the coincidence of the eternal objects forming a specific point-event.

occasions, Obsolete.

needs or necessities.
necessary business matters: to go about one's lawful occasions.

verb (used with object)

to give occasion or cause for; bring about.

Nearby words

ocarina, occ., occam, occam's razor, occas., occasion, occasional, occasional licence, occasional table, occasionalism, occasionally

Idioms

on occasion, now and then; from time to time; occasionally: She visits New York on occasion.

Origin of occasion

1350–1400; Middle English occasioun < Old French occasion < Latin occāsiōn- (stem of occāsiō), equivalent to oc- oc- + cās(us) (past participle of cadere to fall, befall) + -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR occasion

3 chance, opening.

4 motive, inducement, influence.

7 motivate, originate, produce, create.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR occasion ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pre·oc·ca·sioned, adjective

Synonym study

4. See cause.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for occasion

To Hitchcock, this is not a sweet wire from an old colleague but a condolence letter on the occasion of his own death.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was also an occasion for voluptuary displays of tough-mindedness.
The Media's Pro-Torture Cheerleaders|Jedediah Purdy|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the occasion is even more special when you can cheers with some funky flutes.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Carrie Bradshaw in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The government defines excessive drinking as drinking too much on one occasion over the course of a week.
Americans Drink Too Much, But We’re Not All Alcoholics|Gabrielle Glaser|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was both stylish and somber while being suitably grand for the formality of the occasion.
Kate Middleton, the Preggers Fashion Princess|Tom Sykes|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ourdays always wound up with an extra good dinner, and a touch of gala costume in honor of the occasion.
Marjorie's Busy Days|Carolyn Wells
On that occasion they killed seven of our men, besides wounding many.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 (Vol 28 of 55)|Various
They ought, therefore, to be brought into the account on this occasion.
History of the Origin, Formation, and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States, Vol. 1|George Ticknor Curtis
The occasion of this rupture between George the First and his son was curious.
The Town|Leigh Hunt
The man was innocent of any evil intent on this occasion, but Ravenshaw would have quarrelled with an angel just then.
The Red Man's Revenge|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for occasion

occasion

/ (əˈkeɪʒən) /

noun

(sometimes foll by of) the time of a particular happening or event

(sometimes foll by for) a reason or cause (to do or be something); groundsthere was no occasion to complain

an opportunity (to do something); chance

a special event, time, or celebrationthe party was quite an occasion

on occasion every so often

rise to the occasion to have the courage, wit, etc, to meet the special demands of a situation

take occasion to avail oneself of an opportunity (to do something)

verb

(tr) to bring about, esp incidentally or by chance

Word Origin for occasion

C14: from Latin occāsiō a falling down, from occidere, from ob- down + cadere to fall

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with occasion

occasion

see on occasion; rise to the occasion.