n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' k ā -zh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin occasion-, occasio, from occidere to fall, fall down, from ob- toward + cadere to fall ― more at OB- , CHANCE
Date: 14th century
1 : a favorable opportunity or circumstance <did not have occasion to talk with them>
2 a : a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason <the occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance> b : an occurrence or condition that brings something about especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause <his insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel>
3 a : HAPPENING , INCIDENT b : a time at which something happens : INSTANCE
4 a : a need arising from a particular circumstance b archaic : a personal want or need ― usually used in plural
5 plural : AFFAIRS , BUSINESS
6 : a special event or ceremony : CELEBRATION
– on occasion : from time to time