occurrence

UK: əˈkʌrəns | US: əˈkɜːrəns

Definition

  1. n. an event or incident that happens

  2. n. the fact or frequency of something happening

  3. n. (rare) the presence or existence of something

Structure
oc <toward>cur <run>rence <noun suffix>oc <toward>cur <run>rence <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word traces back to Latin occurrere ("to run toward, meet"), combining ob- (toward) + currere (to run). It originally described events as "meetings" or "encounters" with time or circumstances. By the 16th century, it generalized to mean "anything that happens." The spelling shifted from occurrance to occurrence to align with Latin currentia (flowing events).

Examples

  1. The sudden occurrence of rain disrupted the outdoor event.

  2. This phenomenon is a rare occurrence in nature.

  3. The software logs every occurrence of an error.

  4. Frequent occurrences of power outages frustrated residents.

  5. Historians study the occurrence of wars to predict future conflicts.