rencontre
noun
ren·con·tre räⁿ-ˈkōⁿtrᵊ 
ren-ˈkän-tər
ren-ˈkän-tər variants or rencounter
ren-ˈkau̇n-tər
1
: a hostile meeting or a contest between forces or individuals : combat
2
: a casual meeting
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Her work will be unveiled for the first time next week, in an exhibition at the annual Rencontres d’Arles photography festival in France. 
Sarah Moroz, The Cut, 28 June 2017 Charlotte Casiraghi is leading the Rencontres, which was organized at l’Institut Océanographique de Paris (this, in turn, was founded by Casiraghi’s great great great grandfather, Albert I of Monaco). Anne Mcnally, Vanities, 13 Apr. 2017 Charlotte Casiraghi is leading the Rencontres, which was organized at l’Institut Océanographique de Paris (this, in turn, was founded by Casiraghi’s great great great grandfather, Albert I of Monaco). Vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, 13 Apr. 2017
Sarah Moroz, The Cut, 28 June 2017 Charlotte Casiraghi is leading the Rencontres, which was organized at l’Institut Océanographique de Paris (this, in turn, was founded by Casiraghi’s great great great grandfather, Albert I of Monaco). Anne Mcnally, Vanities, 13 Apr. 2017 Charlotte Casiraghi is leading the Rencontres, which was organized at l’Institut Océanographique de Paris (this, in turn, was founded by Casiraghi’s great great great grandfather, Albert I of Monaco). Vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, 13 Apr. 2017 Word History
Etymology
rencounter from Middle French rencontre, from rencontrer; rencontre from French
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1