Meaning & Definition of word "Incident"

Incident

/ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt/

noun:

  • 1. An event or occurrence, especially one of minor importance.
    • Example: The fire department responded to an incident at the local high school.
  • 2. An unexpected and usually unpleasant event.
    • Example: There was a security incident that led to the evacuation of the building.
  • 3. An occurrence or event that interrupts normal operation.
    • Example: The IT team is investigating a network incident that has affected several users.
  • 4. A situation that involves conflict or danger.
    • Example: The incident on the highway caused major traffic delays.
  • 5. A formal report of an event, usually one that requires response or investigation.
    • Example: The police filed an incident report after the car accident.

Etymology

From Latin 'incidens', meaning 'falling upon, happening'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

incident report:

A formal report detailing an incident, often used in workplaces or law enforcement.

major incident:

An event of broad or critical importance, often requiring extensive response.

incident command:

A structure for managing emergency responses effectively.

Related Words

accident:

An unintentional event causing damage or injury.

occurrence:

Something that happens, especially something notable.

event:

A significant occurrence or happening.

Slang Meanings of incident

Meaning: A bad situation or mishap.

Example Sentence: That party was a total incident.

Meaning: Something chaotic or out of control.

Example Sentence: The concert turned into an incident when the crowd got wild.