Words / C1

EP-is-ohd/ˈepɪsəʊd/

An episode is one part of a series, or a single event in a longer story: the first episode, an episode of illness. Part and instalment are close for TV; incident is close for a one-off event. Episodic is the adjective (episodic memory; an episodic plot). In speech, one part / one incident is enough. Keep series and medical/life-event senses apart. Do not call every lesson an episode unless you mean a series.

Meaning

One part of a series, or a single event in a longer story.

Examples

• “I watched the first episode last night.”
• “I watched the first episode last night; the cliffhanger was shameless.”
• “After a brief episode of migraines, she went back to full days, with a plan.”

Good to know

One part of a series, or one event in a longer stretch. Everyday: part / incident. Adjective: episodic. TV, illness, or a chapter of events.

Near in meaning

instalment

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