ENGLISH
REFERENCE

incident

n. · adj.
US //ˈɪnsədənt// UK //ˈɪnsɪdənt// in·ci·dent
  1. 1 an event or occurrence (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an event, especially one that is unusual, important, or violent.

    a discrete event or occurrence, often one that is noteworthy or disruptive in nature.

    Example

    The police are investigating a serious incident that happened downtown last night.

    Example

    The border incident sparked a diplomatic crisis, forcing both nations to recall their ambassadors for urgent consultations.
  2. 2 a minor problem or interruption (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a small event that causes a problem or stops something from working correctly.

    a relatively minor event that causes an interruption, malfunction, or potential crisis, particularly in technical or workplace contexts.

    Example

    The flight was delayed due to a small technical incident on the runway.

    Example

    The IT department managed the security incident quickly, ensuring that no sensitive user data was compromised during the server breach.
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  1. 3 striking a surface (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    used to describe light or energy that is hitting a surface.

    falling on or striking a surface; used to describe the direction of a ray or beam relative to the surface it hits.

    Example

    The scientist measured the angle of the incident light hitting the glass.

    Example

    The efficiency of the solar panel depends heavily on the angle of the incident radiation throughout the day.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies, such as 'incident light' or 'incident ray'.
    • impinging
  2. 4 naturally connected to (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Law

    happening as a natural part of something else.

    occurring as a natural or inevitable consequence of something; inherent or appertaining to a specific role or situation.

    Example

    Some stress is incident to the job of a doctor.

    Example

    The court ruled that the risks were incident to the nature of the contract and therefore the company was not liable for the damages.

    Usage

    Often follows the pattern 'incident to'.
Origin

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”).

Word family

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