plural noun
Special events or times that people celebrate or mark.
We celebrate special occasions with family and friends.
Formal occasions often require suitable clothing.
American English
How to pronounce occasions
noun · verbB1Common word
uhKAYzhnz
/əˈkʰeɪ.ʒn̩z/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of occasion
The spelling “occasions” can be either a plural noun or a third-person singular verb.
Special events or times that people celebrate or mark.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun
Particular times when something happens.
She has visited us on several occasions.
I've seen him on many occasions at the gym.
Good to know
In “on several occasions,” occasions usually means “times,” not celebrations.
plural noun
Suitable chances or times to do something.
The meetings provided several occasions for the teams to exchange ideas.
The conferences created occasions to practice speaking English.
Good to know
This meaning is more formal than the everyday word “opportunities.”
plural noun
Reasons for a feeling or action, especially in formal language.
There have been several occasions for concern this month.
The victories were occasions for celebration.
Good to know
This formal use often appears in phrases such as “occasions for concern.”
Useful expressions
sometimes, but not regularly
We eat out on occasion.
this time
On this occasion, we will make an exception.
at the time of a special event
They met on the occasion of her retirement.