occasion
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.
to give occasion or cause for; bring about.
Idioms about occasion
on occasion, now and then; from time to time; occasionally: She visits New York on occasion.
Origin of occasion
1synonym study For occasion
Other words for occasion
Other words from occasion
- pre·oc·ca·sioned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostYou’ll find this variation served throughout Morocco’s coastal cities for special occasions like weddings and birthdays.
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 | FortuneI 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 PostFinally, its laid-back but tapered style is ideal for appearances at nearly any occasion in Santa Fe.
Remember what Romney was asked that occasioned his infamous comments?
Michael Tomasky on How the Right Is Still Racist | Michael Tomasky | November 11, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Petty tour occasioned a very funny story along these lines.
Overrated/Underrated: I Do/Don't Believe in Zimmerman | Michael Tomasky | May 24, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTMy obituary for Andrew Breitbart has occasioned a lot of comment.
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 MunsellThe 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 DickensThe 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 PfeifferWhile 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
/ (əˈkeɪʒən) /
(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); grounds: there was no occasion to complain
an opportunity (to do something); chance
a special event, time, or celebration: the 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)
(tr) to bring about, esp incidentally or by chance
Origin of occasion
1- See also occasions
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
see on occasion; rise to the occasion.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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