n. 1 time, moment, circumstance, incident, occurrence, opportunity, chance, opening, advantage I took the occasion of the inquiry to leave town 2 reason, cause, call, justification, ground(s), warrant, provocation, prompting, impulse, stimulus, incitement, inducement Tom gave David no occasion to doubt his honesty 3 event, function, happening, affair, observance, commemoration, ceremony, celebration, gala, party, Grandpapa's ninetieth birthday was a great occasion This hall is saved for important occasions. 4 on occasion. See occasionally, below.
v. 5 give rise to, bring about, cause, bring on, effect, prompt, provoke, evoke, call forth, elicit, call up, induce, impel, create, generate, engender, produce, make (for) An increase in the inflation rate occasions a decrease in the value of money