Incident
'ɪnsɪdənt
Definitions
2 meaningsAn event or occurrence.
'ɪnsɪdənt
The company is reviewing the recent safety incident.
💡 Simply: It's like something that happens! It could be a small thing, or something big. Like, 'The incident at the bakery was that someone dropped all the donuts!'
👶 For kids: When something happens, like a little problem or a big surprise.
More Examples
Police are investigating a suspicious incident that occurred late last night.
The teacher described the classroom incident in detail to the parents.
How It's Used
"The police are investigating the recent traffic incident."
"I heard about the unfortunate incident at the park."
"The incident report detailed the events leading to the accident."
An instance of something, often unpleasant or dangerous, happening or being noticed.
'ɪnsɪdənt
An instance of something negative.
The diplomatic incident escalated tensions between the nations.
💡 Simply: It's when something bad or not good happens. Like, 'The incident with the spilled paint made a big mess!'
👶 For kids: When something bad or a problem happens.
More Examples
There was an isolated incident of vandalism at the school.
The security team is reviewing the incident report for any breaches.
How It's Used
"The border incident strained relations between the two countries."
"The mediation sought to resolve the incident."
Idioms & expressions
incident command system
A standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response.
"The fire department implemented the incident command system to manage the wildfire."
first incident
The initial occurrence of an event or problem.
"The first incident of the disease was reported in the late 20th century."
isolated incident
An event that occurred alone and is not likely to happen again or is not related to other events.
"The security guard stated that the incident was an isolated incident."
From Latin *incidens*, present participle of *incidere* 'to fall upon, happen, occur', from *in-* 'on, upon' + *cadere* 'to fall'.
The word 'incident' has been used in English since the early 17th century. Initially, it referred to something that 'falls upon' a person or thing.
Memory tip
Imagine an 'in' coming 'sideways' and 'dent'-ing reality, creating an event.