episode

noun

ep·​i·​sode ˈe-pə-ˌsōd How to pronounce episode (audio)
also
-ˌzōd How to pronounce episode (audio)
Synonyms of episodenext
1
: a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work: such as
a
: the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs
b
: a developed situation that is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative : incident
c
: one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes
d
: the part of a serial presented at one performance
2
: an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series
3
: a digressive subdivision in a musical composition

Synonyms of episode

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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 episode in a Sentence

It was a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work. He tried to forget the whole embarrassing episode. a painful episode from my childhood Millions of people are expected to watch the show's final episode.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
New episodes drop on Tuesday evenings, with the finale landing on July 14. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026 Check back for morning-after recaps of weekday episodes and a Monday roundup of the weekend’s shenanigans. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 July 2026 This four-part series was made by people who love Burning Man, which definitely colors the doc — but at least the first episode shows the place off pretty well. — David Pierce, The Verge, 11 July 2026 The final episode will hopefully provide answers to all of these burning questions. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for episode

Word History

Etymology

Greek epeisodion, from neuter of epeisodios coming in besides, from epi- + eisodios coming in, from eis into (akin to Greek en in) + hodos road, journey — more at in

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of episode was in 1678

Phrases Containing episode

Rhymes for episode

See All Rhymes for episode

Browse Nearby Words

episkeletal
episode
episodic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Episode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/episode. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

episode

noun
ep·​i·​sode ˈep-ə-ˌsōd How to pronounce episode (audio)
: an event that is part of a longer story or of history or a life but which is viewed as complete by itself
episodic
ˌep-ə-ˈsäd-ik
adjective

Medical Definition

episode

noun
ep·​i·​sode
ˈep-ə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd
: an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series
especially : an occurrence of a usually recurrent pathological abnormal condition
a manic episode
hypoglycemic episodes
episodic
ˌep-ə-ˈsäd-ik also -ˈzäd-
adjective
episodically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce episode (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on episode

Nglish: Translation of episode for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about episode

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