occasion

[ uh-key-zhuhn ]

/ əˈkeɪ ʒən /

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See synonyms for: occasion / occasioned / occasions 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR occasion

3 chance, opening.

4 motive, inducement, influence.

7 motivate, originate, produce, create.

See synonyms for occasion on Thesaurus.com

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azure

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Idioms about occasion

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

synonym study for occasion

4. See cause.

OTHER WORDS FROM occasion

pre·oc·ca·sioned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use occasion in a sentence

This list is also sent to various other friends and family, in plenty of time before the occasion.
Miss Manners: Family visit becomes one big project|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
You’ll find this variation served throughout Morocco’s coastal cities for special occasions like weddings and birthdays.
Five Must-Try Dishes in Casablanca, Morocco|Amanda Ponzio-Mouttaki|November 11, 2020|Eater
Just as I’ve done for over a decade on the floor of restaurants, I take so much joy in sourcing universally loved, high-quality flavor profiles that suit all occasions.
Canned wine might have been primed for socializing in the era of social distancing|Rachel King|November 8, 2020|Fortune
I have seen him cry on many occasions when he thought things were slipping out of hand and he just couldn’t let it happen.
Architecture ‘maverick’ dies of covid-19, congestive heart failure at 93|Emily Davies|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

Finally, its laid-back but tapered style is ideal for appearances at nearly any occasion in Santa Fe.
The Gear Our Editors Loved in October|The Editors|November 5, 2020|Outside Online
Remember what Romney was asked that occasioned his infamous comments?
Michael Tomasky on How the Right Is Still Racist|Michael Tomasky|November 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Petty tour occasioned a very funny story along these lines.
Overrated/Underrated: I Do/Don't Believe in Zimmerman|Michael Tomasky|May 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
My obituary for Andrew Breitbart has occasioned a lot of comment.
Mickey Kaus Proves My Point About Breitbart|David Frum|March 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This book occasioned some prelates to say that they must root out printing or printing would root out them.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The old man turned to close the door as he made this reflection, and the noise thus occasioned roused the girl.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
The nave itself presents rather a poor and naked appearance, occasioned in a great degree by the absence of sittings.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
While it lasted flashes of lightning frequently played around the mast-top, occasioned by electricity.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
"Yes, yes," cried his lordship impatiently, dreading a repetition of what had occasioned him such intense pain.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with occasion

occasion

see on occasion; rise to the occasion.

occasion

OTHER WORDS FOR occasion

Idioms about occasion

Origin of occasion

synonym study for occasion

OTHER WORDS FROM occasion

Words related to occasion

How to use occasion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for occasion

Word Origin for occasion

Other Idioms and Phrases with occasion