occasion

American  

[uh-key-zhuhn] / əˈkeɪ ʒən /

noun

1. a particular time, especially as marked by certain circumstances or occurrences.

   They met on three occasions.

2. a special or important time, event, ceremony, celebration, etc..

   His birthday will be quite an occasion.

3. a convenient or favorable time, opportunity, or juncture.

   This slack period would be a good occasion to take inventory.

   Synonyms:

   opening, chance

4. the immediate or incidental cause or reason for some action or result.

   What is the occasion for this uproar?

   Synonyms:

   influence, inducement, motive

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

6. Obsolete. occasions,

   1. needs or necessities.

   2. necessary business matters.

      to go about one's lawful occasions.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give occasion or cause for; bring about.

   Synonyms:

   create, produce, originate, motivate

idioms

1. on occasion, now and then; from time to time; occasionally.

   She visits New York on occasion.

occasion British  

/ əˈkeɪʒən /

noun

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

2. (sometimes foll by for) a reason or cause (to do or be something); grounds

   there was no occasion to complain

3. an opportunity (to do something); chance

4. a special event, time, or celebration

   the party was quite an occasion

5. every so often

6. to have the courage, wit, etc, to meet the special demands of a situation

7. to avail oneself of an opportunity (to do something)

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verb

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

occasion More Idioms  

1. see on occasion; rise to the occasion.

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Related Words

See cause.

Other Word Forms

• preoccasioned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of occasion

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English occasioun, from Old French occasion, from Latin occāsiōn-, stem of occāsiō, literally, “a falling out,” from occās(us) “fallen down” (past participle of occidere “to fall down, set,” from oc- oc- + -cidere, combining form of cadere “to fall”) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Occasion means something special––that happens seldom or is notable when it does. On occasion, we sit down together as a family, but not every day, and never for dinner. When Great Aunt Mabel visits, however, we rise to the occasion and stage a large family meal. Occasion can also mean a designated time or reason something happens, or it can be an event in itself. I'm giving you your grandmother's ring on the occasion of your graduation from high school. I haven't had occasion to look at it since she died. It's valuable, so only wear it on special occasions.

Example Sentences

But I’m not aware of a single occasion when someone grew a conscience and turned away from the outrage machine and the money and fame it can bring.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

There likely will never be a meaningful public-policy discussion on this development, but it’s good to see the issue peek through on occasion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

On that occasion, Tesla investors turned queasy, pushing Tesla shares down by more than 10% the day the deal was announced.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

However, he was given a huge helping hand by his 22-year-old opponent, who initially appeared to be carrying the weight of the occasion on his shoulders.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

It required a two-sided hand mirror, which Seven had brought along for just the occasion.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

• affair
• celebration
• circumstance
• episode
• experience
• incident
• milestone
• moment
• scene
• thing
• time