First Known Use: 1678
Dictionary
episode
noun ep·i·sode \ˈe-pə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd\
: 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
Full Definition of EPISODE
1
: a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work: 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
See episode defined for English-language learners
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Origin of 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 — more at in
Related to EPISODE
- Synonyms
- affair, circumstance, event, hap, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Other Performing Arts Terms
Rhymes with EPISODE
à la mode, antipode, carbo-load, discommode, down the road, eigenmode, electrode, frontage road, front-end load, hit the road, impastoed, incommode, internode, Kozhikode, microcode, mother lode, Nesselrode, object code, palinode, penal code, pigeon-toed, service road, sinus node, trematode, wagonload
EPISODE Defined for Kids
episode
noun ep·i·sode \ˈe-pə-ˌsōd\
Definition of EPISODE for Kids
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
Medical Dictionary
episode
noun ep·i·sode \ˈep-ə-ˌsōd also -ˌzōd\
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>
—ep·i·sod·ic \ˌep-ə-ˈsäd-ik also -ˈzäd-\ adjective
—ep·i·sodi·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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