an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
"The sudden skid caused a minor accident that left both drivers shaken but uninjured."
anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause
"winning the lottery was a happy accident"
"the pregnancy was a stroke of bad luck"
"it was due to an accident or fortuity"
An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences.
"The sudden rainstorm caused a minor traffic accident that left several drivers stranded on the highway despite no one intending to crash."
In plain English: An accident is an unexpected event that happens by chance and usually causes damage or injury.
"He missed work because he was involved in a minor car accident on his way to the office."
Usage: Use "accident" to describe an unplanned, unfortunate incident that happens by chance rather than design, such as a car crash or a slip and fall. Avoid using it to refer to intentional mistakes or deliberate errors, which should instead be described with words like "mistake" or "error."
A town in Maryland.
"The historic downtown of Accident, Maryland, is famous for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture."
The word "accident" entered English from Old French and Latin around the late 14th century, originally describing something that happens or falls unexpectedly. While it has always referred to unforeseen events, a specific sense meaning "unintended pregnancy" did not appear until 1932.