2encounter noun
plural encounters [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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
