occasion: Meaning and Definition of

oc•ca•sion

Pronunciation: (u-kā'zhun), [key]
— n.
  1. a particular time, esp. as marked by certain circumstances or occurrences: They met on three occasions.
  2. a special or important time, event, ceremony, celebration, etc.: His birthday will be quite an occasion.
  3. a convenient or favorable time, opportunity, or juncture: This slack period would be a good occasion to take inventory.
  4. the immediate or incidental cause or reason for some action or result: What is the occasion for this uproar?
  5. (in the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead) the coincidence of the eternal objects forming a specific point-event.
  6. to go about one's lawful occasions.
    1. needs or necessities.
    2. necessary business matters:to go about one's lawful occasions.
  7. now and then; from time to time; occasionally: She visits New York on occasion.
—v.t.
  1. to give occasion or cause for; bring about.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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