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
Examples of occurrence in a Sentence
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
Loki's Transformation Trouble: Resolved a rare occurrence where Loki's Ultimate Ability transformation would end immediately after activation in unstable network conditions.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
The occurrence of Santa Ana winds in the winter suggests a possible shift of weather regimes in Southern California, a shift in wind patterns from autumn to winter by a month or two.
—Sagar Parajuli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
The company attributed the sales shortfall in part to the later occurrence of Black Friday, but said that sales ticked up in December and January, in a positive start to the new fiscal year.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Each new occurrence, in turn, fills many with a greater and greater sense of insecurity.
—Alissa Quart, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for occurrence 
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
The occurrence of Santa Ana winds in the winter suggests a possible shift of weather regimes in Southern California, a shift in wind patterns from autumn to winter by a month or two.
—Sagar Parajuli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
The company attributed the sales shortfall in part to the later occurrence of Black Friday, but said that sales ticked up in December and January, in a positive start to the new fiscal year.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Each new occurrence, in turn, fills many with a greater and greater sense of insecurity.
—Alissa Quart, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for occurrence
Dictionary Entries Near occurrence
Cite this Entry
“Occurrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occurrence. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
occurrence
noun
oc·cur·rence
ə-ˈkər-ən(t)s
-ˈkə-rən(t)s
1
: something that occurs
2
: the action or process of occurring
3
: the presence of a natural form or material in a particular place
the occurrence of oil in Oklahoma
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