occasion

[[t]əke͟ɪʒ(ə)n[/t]]

♦♦

occasions, occasioning, occasioned

1) N-COUNT An occasion is a time when something happens, or a case of it happening.

I often think fondly of an occasion some years ago at Covent Garden...

Mr Davis has been asked on a number of occasions.

2) N-COUNT: usu supp N An occasion is an important event, ceremony, or celebration.

Taking her with me on official occasions has been a challenge...

It will be a unique family occasion.

Syn:

function

3) N-COUNT: N for n/-ing An occasion for doing something is an opportunity for doing it. [FORMAL]

It is an occasion for all the family to celebrate...

It is always an important occasion for setting out government policy.

Syn:

opportunity

4) VERB To occasion something means to cause it. [FORMAL]

[V n] He argued that the release of hostages should not occasion a change in policy.

5) → See also sense of occasion

6) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR to-inf If you have occasion to do something, it is necessary for you to do it.

We have had occasion to deal with members of the group on a variety of charges.

7) PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl If something happens on occasion, it happens sometimes, but not very often.

He treated them seriously and, on occasion, entertained them hilariously...

He translated not only from the French but also, on occasion, from the Polish.

Syn:

occasionally

8) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone rose to the occasion, you mean that they did what was necessary to successfully overcome a difficult situation.

Inverness, however, rose to the occasion in the second half, producing some of the best football they have played for some time.