something that happens or is regarded as happening; an occurrence, esp. one of some importance.
2.
the outcome, issue, or result of anything: The venture had no successful event.
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. Compare world point.
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.
—Idioms
6.
in any event, regardless of what happens; in any case. Also, at all events.
7.
in the event of, if there should be: In the event of rain, the party will be held indoors.
8.
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.
[Origin: 1560–70; < L éventus occurrence, outcome, equiv. to éven(īre) to occur, come out + -tus suffix of v. action]
—Related forms
e·vent·less, adjective
—Synonyms 1. happening, affair, case, circumstance. 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. 2. consequence.
1573, from M.Fr. event, from L. eventus "occurrence, issue," from evenire "to come out, happen, result," from ex- "out" + venire "to come" (see venue). Eventually "ultimately" first recorded c.1680; eventuality is 1828, originally "the power of observing in phrenology." Eventful is from 1600. Event horizon in astrophysics is from 1969.
a special set of circumstances; "in that event, the first possibility is excluded"; "it may rain in which case the picnic will be canceled"
3.
a phenomenon located at a single point in space-time; the fundamental observational entity in relativity theory
4.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon; "the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"; "his decision had depressing consequences for business"; "he acted very wise after the event" [syn: consequence]
event 1. An occurrence or happening of significance to a task or program, such as the completion of an asynchronous input/output operation. A task may wait for an event or any of a set of events or it may (request to) receive asynchronous notification (a signal or interrupt) that the event has occurred. See also event-driven. 2. A transaction or other activity that affects the records in a file. (2000-02-09)
Cir"cum*stance\, n. [L. circumstantia, fr. circumstans, -antis, p. pr. of circumstare to stand around; circum + stare to stand. See Stand.]1. That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event; an attendant thing or state of things. The circumstances are well known in the country where they happened. --W. Irving. 2. An event; a fact; a particular incident. The sculptor had in his thoughts the conqueror weeping for new worlds, or the like circumstances in history. --Addison. 3. Circumlocution; detail. [Obs.] So without more circumstance at all I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. --Shak. 4. pl. Condition in regard to worldly estate; state of property; situation; surroundings. When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations. --Addison. Not a circumstance, of no account. [Colloq.] Under the circumstances, taking all things into consideration. Syn: Event; occurrence; incident; situation; condition; position; fact; detail; item. See Event.