occasion: meaning and definitions

An event or happening; an incident.

The time at which an event occurs.

A significant event.

A favorable or appropriate time or juncture; an opportunity. See Synonyms at opportunity.

Something that brings on or precipitates an action, condition, or event, especially the immediate cause. See Synonyms at cause.

Something that provides a reason or justification; a ground.

A need created by a particular circumstance: "He must buy what he has little occasion for” ( Laurence Sterne).

A large or important social gathering.

Archaic Personal requirements or necessities.

To provide occasion for; cause: "The year's annual reports occasion an especially revealing glimpse of how corporations lend . . . embellishment to the stark numbers of the comptroller's office” ( Mark Muro).

on occasion From time to time; now and then.