incident
n. countablen. an event that is usually unpleasant, unusual, or unexpected. It is often used to describe a specific problem or a small fight.
n. an individual occurrence or event, frequently one that is distressing or disruptive. Often used in formal or official contexts to describe a breach of peace or a minor conflict.
The police are investigating a serious incident that happened last night.
The airline apologized for the incident involving a delayed flight and promised to compensate the affected passengers.
While the border skirmish was initially dismissed as an isolated incident, it soon became clear that it was part of a broader pattern of regional instability.
Recorded since 1412, from Middle French incident, from Latin incidens, the present active participle of incidō (“to happen, befall”), itself from in- (“on”) + -cidō, the combining form of cadō (“to fall”).
Commonly modified by adjectives like 'isolated', 'unfortunate', or 'serious'.
The incident of the car crashThe car crash incidentWhile 'incident of' is used for abstract qualities, specific events are usually described using the noun as a modifier or with 'involving'.