occurrence
noun
oc·cur·rence ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s 
-ˈkə-rən(t)s
1
: something that occurs
a startling occurrence
Lightning is a natural occurrence.
2
: the action or fact of happening or occurring —often used with of
the repeated occurrence of petty theft in the locker room
Synonyms
- affair
- circumstance
- episode
- event
- hap
- happening
- incident
- occasion
- thing
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Getting headaches has become a common occurrence for her. the recent occurrences of the disease Lightning is a natural occurrence.
Recent Examples on the Web Delays or denials in securing a Canadian visa are an annual occurrence for the Toronto Film Festival, which invites directors and their film subjects and cast from around the world. 
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for downtown San Francisco, an uncommon occurrence, on Monday night. Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 It’s the first North American moviegoing-discount event on this large of a scale, with organizers reportedly calling the initiative a trial for what could become an annual occurrence. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 In fact, the money supply has shrunk since March, which is almost an unprecedented occurrence. Erin Prater, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2022 In an unusual occurrence, seven out of 12 of the Republic's All-Arizona selections were underclassmen last fall, meaning that there is a strong cohort of returning talent. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 27 Aug. 2022 The sight of migrant bodies floating onshore or turning up in the surrounding ranchlands has become an almost everyday occurrence recently, Schmerber says. Rosa Flores And Rosalina Nieves, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 But in what has been an uncommon occurrence this summer, the club is trailing in the postseason race. Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2022 Silvester, the Watch Duty reporter, says users of the app have asked for updates on flash floods, an increasingly common occurrence when storms hit areas that have been ravaged by fires. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for downtown San Francisco, an uncommon occurrence, on Monday night. Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 It’s the first North American moviegoing-discount event on this large of a scale, with organizers reportedly calling the initiative a trial for what could become an annual occurrence. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 In fact, the money supply has shrunk since March, which is almost an unprecedented occurrence. Erin Prater, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2022 In an unusual occurrence, seven out of 12 of the Republic's All-Arizona selections were underclassmen last fall, meaning that there is a strong cohort of returning talent. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 27 Aug. 2022 The sight of migrant bodies floating onshore or turning up in the surrounding ranchlands has become an almost everyday occurrence recently, Schmerber says. Rosa Flores And Rosalina Nieves, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 But in what has been an uncommon occurrence this summer, the club is trailing in the postseason race. Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2022 Silvester, the Watch Duty reporter, says users of the app have asked for updates on flash floods, an increasingly common occurrence when storms hit areas that have been ravaged by fires. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
occurr(ent) entry 1 + -ence, perhaps after Middle French occurrence "circumstance"
First Known Use
1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
occurrence
noun
oc·cur·rence ə-ˈkər-əns
1
: something that happens
Lightning is a natural occurrence.
2
: the action or process of happening There's been a lower occurrence of the disease.
Legal Definition
occurrence
noun
oc·cur·rence
: something that takes place
especially : an accident, event, or continuing condition that causes personal or property damage that is unintended or unexpected from the standpoint of an insured party making a claim
occurrences
noun
as in events
something that happens life is full of random occurrences Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- events
- incidents
- things
- circumstances
- episodes
- happenings
- experiences
- occasions
- accidents
- coincidences
- times
- affairs
- phenomena
- haps
- adventures
- phenomenons
- pages
- happenstances
- crises
- co-occurrences
- emergencies
- flukes
- news
- landmarks
- milestones
- turning points
- mileposts
- deeds
- achievements
- feats
- exploits
- junctures
- tidings
- freaks
- happenchances