1 episode | Definition of episode
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

episode

noun
epĀ·​iĀ·​sode | \ Ėˆe-pə-ĖŒsōd also -ĖŒzōd How to pronounce episode (audio) \

Definition of episode

1 : a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work: such as
a : the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs
b : a developed situation that is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative : incident
c : one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes
d : the part of a serial presented at one performance
2 : an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series
3 : a digressive subdivision in a musical composition
Other Words from episode Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about episode

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for episode

occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place. occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. an encounter that was a chance occurrence event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause. the events following the assassination incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance. a minor wartime incident episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident. a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background. couldn't recall the exact circumstances

Examples of episode in a Sentence

It was a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work. He tried to forget the whole embarrassing episode. a painful episode from my childhood Millions of people are expected to watch the show's final episode.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 But El Corazon de Sergio Ramos has one clear protagonist, and in the space of eight episodes (SI.com was able to watch the first six in advance of its Friday release) the production attempts to unravel the multiple layers of his personality. — Luis Miguel Echegaray, SI.com, "Sergio Ramos Shows Off Another Side in His Amazon Docuseries," 11 Sep. 2019 Only the first two seasons of the animated series were ever released on DVD in the States, and the US DVD sets were missing a couple of episodes for reasons that aren't entirely clear. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Ars celebrates 25 years of The Tick by picking our top ten favorite episodes," 10 Sep. 2019 Those struggles have played out in recent months on the high seas, with a string of episodes in which Iran and Western nations have seized each otherā€™s tankers, raising tensions all around. — BostonGlobe.com, "Those struggles have played out in recent months on the high seas, with a string of episodes in which Iran and Western nations have seized each otherā€™s tankers, raising tensions all around.," 10 Sep. 2019 Most of those episodes are perfect as tidy comedies. — Wesley Morris, New York Times, "ā€˜Friendsā€™ Is Turning 25. Hereā€™s Why We Canā€™t Stop Watching it.," 5 Sep. 2019 Its third season premieres this fall; six are planned, for a total of 60 episodes that change over cast members every two seasons. — Isaac Feldberg, Fortune, "ā€˜Grace and Frankieā€™ Is Ending. How Did It Become Netflixā€™s Longest-Running Show?," 5 Sep. 2019 The incident was the latest in a series of episodes surrounding the Popeyes chicken sandwich. — Fox News, "Gun pulled at Houston Popeyes after angry group told chicken sandwich sold out," 4 Sep. 2019 Abby Lee Miller is gaining a bit of a reputation for leaving in the middle of Dance Moms episodes. — Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, "Abby Lee Miller Left the 'Dance Moms' Reunion, and No One Was Surprised," 4 Sep. 2019 The 18-episode series has been repurposed several times for radio, including an hourlong synopsis that was shared with National Public Radio affiliates and a 10-part series of 17-minute episodes currently airing on the BBC World Service. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "Tried six times for murder, Mississippi man may owe his shot at freedom to a St. Paul podcast," 2 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'episode.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of episode

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for episode

Greek epeisodion, from neuter of epeisodios coming in besides, from epi- + eisodios coming in, from eis into (akin to Greek en in) + hodos road, journey ā€” more at in

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for episode

episode

noun
How to pronounce episode (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of episode

: an event or a short period of time that is important or unusual
: a television show, radio show, etc., that is one part of a series
: an occurrence of an illness

See the full definition for episode in the English Language Learners Dictionary

episode

noun
epĀ·​iĀ·​sode | \ Ėˆe-pə-ĖŒsōd How to pronounce episode (audio) \

Kids Definition of episode

1 : an event or one of a series of events that stands out clearly I'm trying to forget the whole embarrassing episode.
2 : one in a series of connected stories or performances

episode

noun
epĀ·​iĀ·​sode | \ Ėˆep-ə-ĖŒsōd also -ĖŒzōd\

Medical Definition of episode

: an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series especially : an occurrence of a usually recurrent pathological abnormal condition a manic episode hypoglycemic episodes

Other Words from episode

episodic \ ĖŒep-​ə-​ĖˆsƤd-​ik also -​ĖˆzƤd-​ \ adjective
episodically \ -​i-​k(ə-​)lē

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!