- event
- noun
1 INTERESTING/EXCITING (C) something that happens, especially something important, interesting or unusual: the most important events of 1994 | The article discusses the events which led up to the prime minister's resignation. | sequence of events (=the order in which events happened): reconstructing the sequence of events on the night of the murder | course of events (=the way that each event caused the next one, without being planned): Nothing you could have done would have changed the course of events.2 COMPETITION/PERFORMANCE/PARTY (C) an important performance, sports competition, party etc which has been arranged for a particular date and time: the biggest event of the racing season | social/sporting/fund-raising etc event: The Christie Ball soon became the social event of the year.3 IN A SPORTS COMPETITION (C) any of the races, competitions etc arranged as part of a day's sports.: The next event will be the 100 metres.—see also: field event, threeday event4 in any/either event also at all events used just before or after a statement to emphasize that it will happen in spite of anything else that may happen: I'll probably see you tomorrow but I'll phone in any event.5 in the event used to emphasize what actually happened in a situation as opposed to what you thought might happen: We were afraid he would be nervous on stage, but in the event he sang beautifully.6 in the event of rain/ fire/an accident etc also in the event that used to tell people what they should do or what will happen if something else happens: Britain agreed to support the US in the event of war.7 in the normal course of events if things happen in the normal way: In the normal course of events, John will inherit the money from his Uncle.
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.