in·ci·dent
ˈin(t)-sə-dənt 
-ˌdent
1
a
: an occurrence of an action or situation that is a separate unit of experience : happening
b
: an accompanying minor occurrence or condition : concomitant
2
: an action likely to lead to grave consequences especially in diplomatic matters
a serious border incident
3
: something dependent on or subordinate to something else of greater or principal importance
1
: occurring or likely to occur especially as a minor consequence or accompaniment
the confusion incident to moving day
2
: dependent on or relating to another thing in law
3
: falling or striking on something
incident light rays
Synonyms
Examples of incident in a Sentence
Noun
We just want to put that embarrassing incident behind us.
Two people were shot yesterday in two separate incidents.
Aside from a few isolated incidents, the crowd was well-behaved.
Many such incidents go unreported.
The bombing caused an international incident.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
There was some disagreement over how forcefully the victim contacted Morrow’s car during the incident.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Dor Eisner, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The Department of Energy’s order is effective through 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, and grid operators are to provide detailed reporting to the Energy Department and complete a post-incident special environmental analysis, a department spokesperson said in an email.
—Dallas News, 24 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for incident 
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Noun
Since these incidents, South Korea’s military doctrine has become far more offensive.
—Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
There was some disagreement over how forcefully the victim contacted Morrow’s car during the incident.
—Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
By evaluating factors such as coverage limits, incident response support and post-incident services, MSPs have a keen understanding of a business’s risk profile and can help SMBs identify the cyber insurance coverage that best aligns with their operations and goals.
—Dor Eisner, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The Department of Energy’s order is effective through 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, and grid operators are to provide detailed reporting to the Energy Department and complete a post-incident special environmental analysis, a department spokesperson said in an email.
—Dallas News, 24 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for incident
Articles Related to incident
Dictionary Entries Near incident
Cite this Entry
“Incident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incident. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incident
1 of 2 noun
in·ci·dent
ˈin(t)-səd-ənt
-sə-ˌdent
: an often unimportant happening that may form part of a larger event
incident
2 of 2 adjective2
: falling or striking on something
incident light rays
Medical Definition
incident
adjective
in·ci·dent
ˈin(t)-səd-ənt, -sə-ˌdent
: falling or striking on something
incident light rays
incident radiation
Legal Definition
incident
1 of 2 noun
in·ci·dent
ˈin-sə-dənt, -ˌdənt
1
: a distinct occurrence or event
an incident of sexual harassment
2
: a subordinate, dependent, or consequential element
the search was a legitimate incident to the arrest
child support and other incidents of divorce
incident
2 of 2 adjective
: having a subordinate or dependent relation to something specified
a search incident to arrest
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