oc·ca·sion (?-k??zh?n)n.1. An event or happening, or the time of an event or happening: On several occasions, we saw him riding a motorcycle.2. A significant event, especially a large or important social gathering: The reception proved to be quite the occasion.3. A favorable or appropriate time or juncture: saw the layoff as an occasion to change careers. See Synonyms at opportunity.4. a. A cause of or reason for something: a trade disagreement that furnished the occasion for war. See Synonyms at cause.b. A need created by a particular circumstance: “He must buy what he has little occasion for” (Laurence Sterne).5. occasions Archaic Personal requirements or necessities.tr.v. oc·ca·sioned, oc·ca·sion·ing, oc·ca·sions To provide occasion for; cause: “The broadcast and its immediate aftermath occasioned a cascade of media commentary” (Lewis Sorley).Idioms: on occasion From time to time; now and then. rise to the occasion To find the ability to deal with an unexpected challenge. take the occasion To make use of the opportunity (to do something).[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin occ?si?, occ?si?n-, from occ?sus, past participle of occidere, to fall : ob-, down; see ob- + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.occasion (??ke???n) n1. (sometimes foll by of) the time of a particular happening or event2. (sometimes foll by for) a reason or cause (to do or be something); grounds: there was no occasion to complain. 3. an opportunity (to do something); chance4. a special event, time, or celebration: the party was quite an occasion. 5. on occasion every so often6. rise to the occasion to have the courage, wit, etc, to meet the special demands of a situation7. take occasion to avail oneself of an opportunity (to do something)vb (tr) to bring about, esp incidentally or by chance[C14: from Latin occ?si? a falling down, from occidere, from ob- down + cadere to fall]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014oc?ca?sion (??ke? ??n) n. 1. a particular time, esp. as marked by certain circumstances or occurrences. 2. a special or important time, event, ceremony, etc.: The party was quite an occasion. 3. a convenient or favorable time; opportunity: 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. occasions, Obs. a. needs or necessities. b. necessary business matters. v.t. 6. to give occasion or cause for; bring about. Idioms: on occasion, once in a while; occasionally; periodically. [1350?1400; Middle English (An occasion is a particular time when something happens.You often say that something happens on a particular occasion.An occasion is also an important event, ceremony, or celebration.Don’t use occasion to refer to a situation in which it is possible for someone to do something. Instead, use opportunity or chance.