10/25/23, 6:16 PM Accident Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

accident

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accident noun
ac·​ci·​dent ˈak-sə-dənt -ˌdent ˈaks-dənt

Synonyms of accident

1 a : 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.

2 a : 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between accidental and incidental?

Accidental describes what was not planned or intended. It means "happening by accident" or "happening as an accident," as
in "an accidental discovery" and "an accidental injury." Incidental typically means "happening as a minor part or result of
something else," as in "a chapter that is incidental to the novel's plot." For more information read the full article.

Do you say 'on accident' or 'by accident'?

While both "by accident" and "on accident" are used, "by accident" is far more common.

What does 'accident waiting to happen' mean?

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The phrase "an accident waiting to happen" refers to a person or thing that is dangerous or unsafe. For example, a very
clumsy person and a rickety ladder might both be referred to as "an accident waiting to happen."

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Synonyms

casualty mischance
mishap

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The scene of the accident in Newton, Conn.NBC Connecticut Officials from the state Agriculture and Transportation departments
determined that six of the cows should be euthanized for their injuries after a consultation with a state veterinarian.
Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2023

By and large, it’s accepted that a person who causes a fatal traffic accident while in the grip of a seizure should not be charged
with murder.
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023

Until this accident happened, there was no other sign.

Abc News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2023

See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accident.' Any opinions expressed
in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

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Etymology

Middle English, "happening, nonessential property, diseased condition, disturbance (of the mind)," borrowed from Anglo-
Definition
French, FAQs incident,
"irregularity, Synonyms Exampleborrowed
Dictionary
symptom," Sentencesfrom
Word History
Latin Phrases
accident-, Containing
accidens Related Articles attribute"
Thesaurus
"chance event, contingent Podcast Entries Ne
(translating Greek symbebēkós), from present participle of accidere "to fall down, impinge on, be heard, happen," from ad- AD-
+ cadere "to fall" — more at CHANCE entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler

The first known use of accident was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing accident

accident of birth cerebrovascular accident

accident-​prone by accident

no accident accident insurance

See More

Articles Related to accident

'Accidental' vs. 'Incidental'

The Correct Use of 'Accident'

The Secret Histories of 'Catastrophe,'...

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Dictionary Entries Near accident

accidens
accident
accidental

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“Accident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accident. A

ccessed 25 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition

accident noun
ac·​ci·​dent ˈak-səd-ənt -sə-ˌdent

1 a : an event occurring by chance or from unknown causes

b : CHANCE entry 1 sense 1
we met by accident

2 : an unintended and usually sudden and unexpected event resulting in loss or injury
an automobile accident

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Medical Definition

accident noun
ac·​ci·​dent ˈak-səd-ənt -sə-ˌdent; ˈaks-dənt

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

accidental ˌak-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl adjective

accidentally -ˈdent-lē, -ᵊl-ē adverb

variants also accidently -ˈdent-lē

Legal Definition

accident noun
ac·​ci·​dent

: 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.

accidental adjective
accidentally adverb
variants also accidently

More from Merriam-Webster on accident

Nglish: Translation of accident for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of accident for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: 22 Oct 2023 - Updated example sentences

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