What does incident mean?
An incident is a particular event, especially one that is unexpected, disruptive, noteworthy, or subject to investigation. The word can describe anything from a minor disturbance to a serious accident, although it frequently suggests that something has gone wrong or attracted attention. In diplomatic, military, and security reporting, it may also refer to a clash or confrontation. As an adjective, the word occurs chiefly in the formal legal expression “incident to,” meaning naturally connected with or resulting from something else. Although incident and accident are sometimes interchanged, an accident normally emphasizes an unintended or harmful outcome, while an incident more broadly identifies an event. The noun is countable and has the regular plural “incidents.”
A particular event or occurrence, especially one that is unexpected, disruptive, or otherwise noteworthy.
"Witnesses gave different accounts of the incident outside the station."
The word is broad but commonly implies that the event is unusual or deserving of attention.
Naturally connected with or resulting from something else, as in “risks incident to the activity.”
"The policy excludes losses incident to ordinary wear and tear."
Chiefly formal and legal; usually encountered in the phrase “incident to.”
Use the regular plural when referring to separate events or occurrences.
"Several minor incidents were reported during the event."
From the Latin incidere, literally “to fall upon,” an incident is something that happens upon us.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of incident
The word comes through Latin from incidere, formed from in- and cadere, both meaning “to fall.” Latin incident- therefore meant “falling upon” or “happening,” and the English noun developed in the Middle English period with the sense of an event or occurrence. The same Latin root underlies words such as accident, accidental, coincidence, and coincident.
Related word forms
How incident is actually used
In its most common modern use, the noun is neutral in itself, but it often implies that an event was unexpected, disruptive, or serious. The adjective is relatively uncommon outside formal and chiefly American legal usage, where “incident to” means connected with or resulting naturally from something.
Easily confused with incident
An incident is any noteworthy event, whereas an accident usually denotes an unintended event, often involving damage, injury, or harm.
An incident is a particular event, while incidence refers to how often something occurs or the rate at which it happens.