/euh kay"zheuhn/ , n.
1. a particular time, esp. as marked by certain circumstances or occurrences: They met on three occasions.
2. a special or important time, event, ceremony, celebration, etc.: His birthday will be quite an occasion.
3. a convenient or favorable time, opportunity, or juncture: This slack period would be a good occasion to take inventory.
4. the immediate or incidental cause or reason for some action or result: What is the occasion for this uproar?
5. (in the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead) the coincidence of the eternal objects forming a specific point-event.
6. occasions , Obs.
a. needs or necessities.
b. necessary business matters: to go about one's lawful occasions.
7. on occasion , now and then; from time to time; occasionally: She visits New York on occasion.
v.t.
8. to give occasion or cause for; bring about.
[ 1350-1400; ME occasioun occasion occasion- (s. of occasio ), equiv. to oc- OC- + cas ( us ) (ptp. of cadere to fall, befall) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 3. chance, opening. 4. motive, inducement, influence. See cause. 8. motivate, originate, produce, create.