I saw this expression in a news article the day after Obama Barack's inauguration: an occasion of great moment. They were uttered by Chee Soon Juan on a YouTube video congratulating the US President. I found the phrase intriguing and had to look up moment in the dictionary.
Besides the main definition of "a minute portion or point in time", the Merriam Webster listed six other defintions for moment. Not surprising since the simplest words often have the most definitions. (I remember flipping to the word be in the OED and was floored to see over 300 definitions.) The definition that caught my eye was the third one: importance in influence or effect. How very interesting.
So one could write: This was an decision of great moment.
Or another example: For Herbert, his wedding vows would be a promise of great moment.
It's amazing what one can learn from just reading the news.
