incident

[ in-si-duhnt ]

noun

1. an individual occurrence or event.

   Synonyms: happening

2. a distinct piece of action, or an episode, as in a story or play.
3. something that occurs casually in connection with something else.
4. something appertaining or attaching to something else.
5. an occurrence of seemingly minor importance, especially involving nations or factions between which relations are strained and sensitive, that can lead to serious consequences, as an outbreak of hostilities or a war:

   border incident; international incident.

6. an embarrassing occurrence, especially of a social nature.

adjective

1. likely or apt to happen (usually followed by to ).
2. naturally appertaining:

   hardships incident to the life of an explorer.

3. conjoined or attaching, especially as subordinate to a principal thing.
4. falling or striking on something, as light rays.

incident

/ ˈɪnsɪdənt /

noun

1. a distinct or definite occurrence; event
2. a minor, subsidiary, or related event or action
3. a relatively insignificant event that might have serious consequences, esp in international politics
4. a public disturbance

   the police had reports of an incident outside a pub

5. the occurrence of something interesting or exciting

   the trip was not without incident

adjective

1. postpositivefoll byto related (to) or dependent (on)
2. whenpostpositive, often foll by to having a subsidiary or minor relationship (with)
3. (esp of a beam of light or particles) arriving at or striking a surface

   incident electrons

Other Words From

• inci·dent·less adjective
• non·inci·dent noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incident¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin incident- (stem of incidēns “a happening,” noun use of present participle of Latin verb incidere “to fall upon, befall”), equivalent to Latin in- in- ² + -cid- (combining form of cad- “fall”) + -ent- -ent; cadenza

Word History and Origins

Origin of incident¹

C15: from Medieval Latin incidens an event, from Latin incidere, literally: to fall into, hence befall, happen, from in- ² + cadere to fall

Synonym Study

See event.

Example Sentences

In addition to the arson attacks, Ms Moore said there had also been incidents of "sectarian graffiti" in the area.

From BBC

In attempting to define the word on SNL, she cited an incident where US businesswoman Martha Stewart had mistakenly claimed a journalist who covered her legal proceedings was dead.

From BBC

In most of the incidents, BaronHR’s partner companies were also cited.

From New York Times

Police have urged dog owners to “step up before someone dies” after 13 incidents of dangerous dogs were reported in less than 48 hours.

From BBC

London Underground said it was "extremely sorry" that Lord Blunkett was injured and will be meeting with him to ensure that lessons are learned from the incident.

From BBC

Related Words

• circumstance
• episode
• event
• fact
• matter
• scene