Added 9 October 2026
incident
/ˈɪnsɪdənt/ noun
Latin root: incidens Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about incident at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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An event or occurrence.
She could not recall the time of the incident.
- A (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others.
- An event that causes or may cause an interruption or a crisis, such as a workplace illness or a software error. An event affecting an aircraft, usually a plane crash.
adjective
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Arising as the result of an event, inherent.
No major hazards incident to this job.
-
Falling on or striking a surface.
The incident light illuminated the surface.
- Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
Origin
Recorded since 1412, from Middle French incident, from Latin incidens, the present active participle of incidō (“to happen, befall”), itself from in- (“on”) + -cidō, the combining form of cadō (“to fall”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)