accident
noun
ac·ci·dent
| \ ˈak-sə-dənt
, -ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt\
, -ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt\
Definition of accident
1a
: an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance
Their meeting was an accident.
b
: lack of intention or necessity : chance
They met by accident rather than by design.
2a
: an unfortunate event resulting especially from carelessness or ignorance
was involved in a traffic accident
b
medical
: an unexpected and medically important bodily event especially when injurious
a cerebrovascular accident
c
law
: an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought
d
US, informal
—used euphemistically to refer to an uncontrolled or involuntary act or instance of urination or defecation (as by a baby or a pet) The puppy had an accident on the rug.
3
: a nonessential property or quality of an entity or circumstance
the accident of nationality
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Examples of accident in a Sentence
He was injured in an accident at work.
The accident happened when her car slid on a patch of ice.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident.
Their meeting was an accident.
She says that her pregnancy was an accident.
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More Definitions for accident
accident
noun
English Language Learners Definition of accident
: a sudden event (such as a crash) that is not planned or intended and that causes damage or injury
: an event that is not planned or intended : an event that occurs by chance
See the full definition for accident in the English Language Learners Dictionary
accident
noun
ac·ci·dent
| \ ˈak-sə-dənt
, -sə-ˌdent\
, -sə-ˌdent\
Kids Definition of accident
1
: something that happens by chance or from unknown causes and that often causes injury or damage : mishap
an automobile accident
2
: chance entry 1 sense 1
We met by accident.
accident
noun
ac·ci·dent
| \ ˈak-səd-ənt
, -sə-ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt
\
, -sə-ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt
\
Medical Definition of accident
1
: an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes
2
: an unexpected bodily event of medical importance especially when injurious
a cerebrovascular accident
3
: an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought
Other Words from accident
accidental
\ ˌak-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl
\
adjective
\
adjective
accidentally
\ -ˈdent-lē, -ᵊl-ē
\
also accidently \ -ˈdent-lē
\
adverb
\
also accidently \ -ˈdent-lē
\
adverb
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accident
noun
ac·ci·dent
Legal Definition of accident
: an unexpected usually sudden event that occurs without intent or volition although sometimes through carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes and that produces an unfortunate result (as an injury) for which the affected party may be entitled to relief under the law or to compensation under an insurance policy — see also unavoidable accident
Note: The term accident has been held to include intentional acts (such as an assault and battery) under workers' compensation laws.