happening Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an event that happens
    occurrent; natural event; occurrence.
  2. verb come to pass
    fall out; pass off; come about; pass; hap; happen; take place; occur; go on.
    • What is happening?
    • The meeting took place off without an incidence
    • Nothing occurred that seemed important
  3. verb happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance
    happen; befall; bechance.
    • It happens that today is my birthday
    • These things befell" (Santayana)
  4. verb chance to be or do something, without intention or causation
    happen.
    • I happen to have just what you need!
  5. verb come into being; become reality
    materialize; happen; materialise.
    • Her dream really materialized
  6. verb come upon, as if by accident; meet with
    chance; bump; happen; find; encounter.
    • We find this idea in Plato
    • I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
    • She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day

WordNet