Definition of "accident" []

• An unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm: car accidents on icy roads. (noun)
• An unforeseen incident: A series of happy accidents led to his promotion. (noun)
• An instance of involuntary urination or defecation in one's clothing. (noun)
• Lack of intention; chance: ran into an old friend by accident. (noun)
• Logic A circumstance or attribute that is not essential to the nature of something. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "And the finding and maintaining happiness is a definite achievement and not an accident, for _it is beyond accident_."
• ""Oh, mamma!" she cried, jerking off her bonnet, and throwing herself down on a stool at her mother's feet, "we have had such a dreadful accident, or hardly an _accident_ either, for I feel perfectly certain"
• "It's common for people to use the word accident for crashes, yet, it's an unfortunate -- and inadequate -- habit."