circumstance

/ˈsər-kəm-ˌstan(t)s/

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstant-, circumstans, present participle of circumstare to stand around, from circum- + stare to stand

noun

  1. a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant

  2. a subordinate or accessory fact or detail

  3. a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (such as a crime)

the weather is a circumstance to be taken into consideration

cost is a minor circumstance in this case

occurrence event incident episode circumstance mean something that happens or takes place. occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan. event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause.

noun

  1. impressive formal activities or ceremonies

idiom

  1. conditions that cannot be controlled

Through/By force of circumstance(s), the company has had to lay off several hundred workers.