incident

1 of 2

noun

in·​ci·​dent ˈin(t)-sə-dənt 

-ˌdent

1

a

: an occurrence of an action or situation that is a separate unit of experience : happening

b

: an accompanying minor occurrence or condition : concomitant

2

: an action likely to lead to grave consequences especially in diplomatic matters

a serious border incident

3

: something dependent on or subordinate to something else of greater or principal importance

incident

2 of 2

adjective

1

: occurring or likely to occur especially as a minor consequence or accompaniment

the confusion incident to moving day

2

: dependent on or relating to another thing in law

3

: falling or striking on something

incident light rays

Synonyms

Noun

• affair
• circumstance
• episode
• event
• hap
• happening
• occasion
• occurrence
• thing

Choose the Right Synonym for incident

occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place.

occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan.

an encounter that was a chance occurrence

event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

the events following the assassination

incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance.

a minor wartime incident

episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident.

a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work

circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background.

couldn't recall the exact circumstances

Examples of incident in a Sentence

Noun

We just want to put that embarrassing incident behind us.

Two people were shot yesterday in two separate incidents.

Aside from a few isolated incidents, the crowd was well-behaved.

Many such incidents go unreported.

The bombing caused an international incident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Stamford Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad is conducting the ongoing investigation into the incident. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Dec. 2024

While British Airways has not specified the cause of the incident, this is not the first time that the airline has encountered technical difficulties with an Airbus A380 since it was returned to commercial service following the COVID-19 pandemic. —Tiah Shepherd, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Adjective

By evaluating factors such as coverage limits, incident response support and post-incident services, MSPs have a keen understanding of a business’s risk profile and can help SMBs identify the cyber insurance coverage that best aligns with their operations and goals. —Dor Eisner, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

The Department of Energy’s order is effective through 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, and grid operators are to provide detailed reporting to the Energy Department and complete a post-incident special environmental analysis, a department spokesperson said in an email. —Dallas News, 24 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin incident-, incidens, from Latin, present participle of incidere to fall into, from in- + cadere to fall — more at chance

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing incident

• without incident

Kids Definition

incident

1 of 2 noun

in·​ci·​dent ˈin(t)-səd-ənt 

-sə-ˌdent

: an often unimportant happening that may form part of a larger event

incident

2 of 2 adjective

1

: incidental entry 1

2

: falling or striking on something

incident light rays

Medical Definition

incident

adjective

in·​ci·​dent ˈin(t)-səd-ənt, -sə-ˌdent 

: falling or striking on something

incident light rays

incident radiation

Legal Definition

incident

1 of 2 noun

in·​ci·​dent ˈin-sə-dənt, -ˌdənt 

1

: a distinct occurrence or event

an incident of sexual harassment

2

: a subordinate, dependent, or consequential element

the search was a legitimate incident to the arrest

child support and other incidents of divorce

incident

2 of 2 adjective

: having a subordinate or dependent relation to something specified

a search incident to arrest