Occurrence Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms occurrence American [uh-kur-uhns, uh-kuhr-] / əˈkɜr əns, əˈkʌr- /

    noun

    1. the action, fact, or instance of occurring.

    2. something that happens; event; incident.

      We were delayed by several unexpected occurrences.

      Synonyms: circumstance
    occurrence British / əˈkʌrəns /

    noun

    1. something that occurs; a happening; event

    2. the act or an instance of occurring

      a crime of frequent occurrence

    "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

    Related Words

    See event.

    Other Word Forms

    • occurrent adjective
    • preoccurrence noun
    • reoccurrence noun

    Etymology

    Origin of occurrence

    1530–40; < Latin occurrent-, stem of occurrēns (present participle of occurrere “to run up to, run to meet”), from oc- (variant of ob- ; ob- ( def. ) ) + currere “to run” + -ence; compare Medieval Latin occurrentia

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    Cases like hers are a rare occurrence, according to San Bernardino Valley College officials.

    From Los Angeles Times

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    That usually unremarkable occurrence proved to be a portent for the exhibition.

    From The Wall Street Journal

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    Being treated in a hospital hallway by people who can barely stop to talk to you is not an uncommon occurrence for many Americans.

    From Los Angeles Times

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    The unscripted occurrence, she says, was “one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced in making art.”

    From Los Angeles Times

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    The top U.S. models are still noticeably better than Chinese ones despite the occurrence of distillation, and have access to much more resources, he said.

    From MarketWatch

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    Related Words

    • accident
    • circumstance
    • episode
    • existence
    • incidence
    • incident
    • instance
    • manifestation
    • situation

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from 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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