Occasion Definition

ə-kāzhən

occasioned, occasions

noun

occasions

A significant event, especially a large or important social gathering.

The reception proved to be quite the occasion.

American Heritage

A favorable time or juncture; opportunity.

Webster's New World

A fact, event, or state of affairs that makes something else possible.

A chance meeting was the occasion of the renewal of their friendship.

Webster's New World

A happening; occurrence.

Webster's New World

A cause or reason.

You have no occasion to be angry.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

occasioned, occasions

To be the occasion of; give occasion to; cause.

Webster's New World

To provide occasion for; cause.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

idiom

on occasion

From time to time; now and then.

American Heritage

rise to the occasion

To find the ability to deal with an unexpected challenge.

American Heritage

take the occasion

To make use of the opportunity (to do something).

American Heritage

on occasion

From time to time; now and then.

American Heritage

rise to the occasion

To find the ability to deal with an unexpected challenge.

American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Occasion

Noun

Singular:

occasion

Plural:

occasions

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Occasion

Origin of Occasion

Middle English from Old French from Latin occāsiō occāsiōn- from occāsus past participle of occidere to fall ob- down ob– cadere to fall kad- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old French from Latin occāsiō occāsiōn- from occāsus past participle of occidere to fall ob- down ob– cadere to fall kad- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French ocasion, from Latin occasionem (accusative of occasio), noun of action from perfect passive participle occasus, from verb occido, from prefix ob- (“down", "away") + verb cado (“fall").

From Wiktionary