<p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly: to encounter a new situation.</li><li>to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.): We encounter so many problems in our work.</li><li>to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict: We will encounter the enemy at dawn.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict: We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a meeting with a person or thing, especially a casual, unexpected, or brief meeting: Our running into each other was merely a chance encounter.</li><li>a meeting of persons or groups that are in conflict or opposition; combat; battle: Another such encounter and we may lose the war.</li><li>a meeting of two or more people, as the members of an encounter group or a number of married couples in marriage encounter, conducted to promote direct emotional confrontations among the participants, especially as a form of therapy.</li></ul>