episode
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɛpɪsˌəʊd/
US
- /ˈɛpəˌsoʊd/
- /ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd/
Description
- event
- incident
- one part of a series
- short period of illness
An episode is a particular event or a short period of time within a larger story, process, or series. You often see it in television, where one episode is one part of a show. It is also common in health and behavior, as in an episode of dizziness, depression, or anger. In everyday storytelling, it can mean a notable incident that stands out in a longer experience.
The word "episode" refers to a particular event, incident, or period that happens as part of a larger whole. It often points to something with a clear beginning and end, especially when that thing is one part of a series, a story, or a person's experience. For example, a doctor might talk about an episode of dizziness, meaning one period when the person felt faint or unsteady.
The word is very common in television and radio. A series is made up of episodes, and each one is a separate part of the full program. One episode may tell a complete small story, or it may move a larger story forward. We also use the word for health and mental states, such as an episode of fever, panic, or depression, where it means a limited stretch of time during which something happened.
It can also appear in general storytelling to describe a memorable part of someone's life or of a larger chain of events. You might speak of a strange episode on a trip, a difficult episode in a friendship, or a funny episode from childhood. In all of these cases, the idea is the same: one distinct part within something bigger.
So, whether you are talking about one part of a TV series, a short period of illness, or a striking incident in a longer story, "episode" names one clear section of a bigger whole.
Examples
- 1
TV series
We watched the first episode of the new series last night.
- 2
Missed show
I missed last week's episode, so I didn't understand the ending.
- 3
Show length
Each episode is only twenty minutes long, so it's easy to watch on the train.
- 4
Medical symptoms
The doctor asked if she had ever had an episode of chest pain before.
Pattern
an episode of + symptom/illness
a short period of illness or symptoms
- 5
Mental health
He took time off work after a severe depressive episode.
Domain
depressive episode
a period when someone is seriously depressed
- 6
Larger conflict
The fight at the meeting was only one unpleasant episode in a much larger conflict.
Meaning
episode
one event in a longer situation
- 7
Legal dispute
The court ruling is the latest episode in the company's long-running tax dispute.
Pattern
the latest episode in + ongoing story/problem
the newest part of it
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- episodenoun
Forms
- episodespluralnoun