episode

[ ep-uh-sohd, -zohd ]

noun

1. an incident in the course of a series of events, in a person's life or experience, etc.

   Synonyms: happening

2. an incident, scene, etc., within a narrative, usually fully developed and either integrated within the main story or digressing from it.
3. one of a number of loosely connected, but usually thematically related, scenes or stories constituting a literary work.
4. epeisodion.
5. Music. an intermediate or digressive passage, especially in a contrapuntal composition.
6. Movies, Radio, and Television. any one of the separate productions that constitute a serial.

episode

/ ˈɛpɪˌsəʊd /

noun

1. an incident, event, or series of events
2. any one of the sections into which a serialized novel or radio or television programme is divided
3. an incident, sequence, or scene that forms part of a narrative but may be a digression from the main story
4. (in ancient Greek tragedy) a section between two choric songs
5. music a contrasting section between statements of the subject, as in a fugue or rondo

Word History and Origins

Origin of episode¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Greek epeisódion “addition, parenthetic narrative, episode,” noun use of neuter of epeisódios “coming in addition,” equivalent to ep- ep- + eísod(os) “entrance” ( eis- “into” + (h)odós “road, way”) + -ios adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of episode¹

C17: from Greek epeisodion something added, from epi- (in addition) + eisodios coming in, from eis- in + hodos road

Synonym Study

See event.

Example Sentences

The former independent presidential candidate, who is slated to secure a top health role in Trump’s administration, appeared on Tuesday’s episode of “The Joe Polish Show” podcast, where he called Trump’s diet “poison.”

From Salon

A disclaimer at the end of each episode acknowledges Adams’ denial that he was ever a member of the IRA or involved in political violence; it’s a claim “Say Nothing” otherwise freely dismisses.

From Los Angeles Times

But as the disclaimer attached to each episode tells us, and the fictionalized versions of Adams played by Finan and, later, Michael Colgan, insist, all allegations that he was ever part of the IRA are false.

From Salon

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.

From BBC

In each episode, Yoakam plays the guest’s music and shares songs that are meaningful to him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chapter
• event
• experience
• incident
• installment
• matter
• thing