occasion

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a particular time when sth happens: on this / that occasion * I've met him on several occasions. * I can remember very few occasions when he had to cancel because of ill health. * They have been seen together on two separate occasions. * On one occasion, she called me in the middle of the night. * He used the occasion to announce further tax cuts. 2 [C] a special event, ceremony or celebration: a great / memorable / happy occasion * Turn every meal into a special occasion. * They marked the occasion (= celebrated it) with an open-air concert. * Their wedding turned out to be quite an occasion. * He was presented with the watch on the occasion of his retirement. 3 [sing.] ~ (for sth / doing sth) a suitable time for sth: It should have been an occasion for rejoicing, but she could not feel any real joy. * I'll speak to him about it if the occasion arises (= if I get a chance). -< POSSIBILITY 4 [U,sing.] ~ (to do sth)