1. An event that occurs at a critical time
   "it was needed only on special occasions";
   - juncture
    
2. The time of a particular event
   "on the occasion of his 60th birthday"
    
3. An opportunity to do something
   "there was never an occasion for her to demonstrate her skill"
    
4. Reason or cause
   "the occasion that war was declared";
   - reason, ground
    
5. A special social event or celebration
   "we're having a small occasion for her birthday"

1. Cause to happen or occur
   "The scandal occasioned his resignation"

Derived forms: occasioned, occasions, occasioning

Type of: cause, chance, do, engender, happening, make, natural event, occurrence, occurrent, opportunity, rational motive, time

Encyclopedia: Occasion