Encounter Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ENCOUNTER

[+ object]

1

:

to have or experience (problems, difficulties, etc.)

• We encountered problems early in the project.
• The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.
• Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.

2

formal

:

to meet (someone) without expecting or intending to

• I encountered [=_ran into_] an old friend on a recent business trip.

Britannica Dictionary definition of ENCOUNTER

[count]

1

a

:

a meeting that is not planned or expected

• an accidental encounter
• a chance encounter with a famous writer

b

:

a usually brief experience with another person

• a brief/painful encounter
• He's accused of having had sexual encounters with several young women.
• They had a romantic encounter [=a brief romantic relationship] several years ago.

c

:

a violent or very unfriendly meeting

• Two protesters were arrested during an encounter [=_clash_] with police.
• There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.

2

:

an occasion when you deal with or experience something

• It was her first encounter with cigarettes.

◊ To have a close encounter with something is to come very close to being hurt or damaged by it.

• The island has had several close encounters with major hurricanes in recent years.