accident

noun

ac·​ci·​dent ˈak-sə-dənt How to pronounce accident (audio) -ˌdent How to pronounce accident (audio)
ˈaks-dənt
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?

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."

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 Fortunately no one was seriously injured on that flight from what could been a catastrophic accident. Chris Isidore, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 William noted this year is the 25th anniversary of the British government's Diana Award, created two years after her death in a car accident in Paris in 1997 at age 36. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Quite a number of years ago, my elbow was broken in a car accident and never healed correctly. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 The eighth person died in September 2002 from injuries sustained in the accident, according to Wisconsin Watch. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 This one has room for a name or phrase that’s specific to you, and can be thrown in the washing machine if there’s a rogue accident or spill. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Despite EVs reaching cost parity with gas cars by 2027, the average cost of repairs following a major accident could increase by 30 percent within that same time frame. José Rodríguez Jr. / Jalopnik, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 The production is being directed by Jody Moreno (Blunt), the former camera operator with whom Seavers had a budding relationship before a career-ending accident. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Takeoff and landing are the phases of a flight with the highest instances of accidents, so flight attendants automatically assume a rigid position that prepares them to act efficiently and immediately in case of emergency. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2024

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

Etymology

Middle English, "happening, nonessential property, diseased condition, disturbance (of the mind)," borrowed from Anglo-French, "irregularity, incident, symptom," borrowed from Latin accident-, accidens "chance event, contingent attribute" (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

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Dictionary Entries Near accident

Cite this Entry

“Accident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accident. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accident

noun
ac·​ci·​dent ˈak-səd-ənt How to pronounce accident (audio)
-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

Medical Definition

accident

noun
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 adjective
accidentally adverb
also accidently

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
also accidently

More from Merriam-Webster on accident

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