Cinematic convention, usually associated with the romantic comedy. The male and female leads are unfamiliar with each other at the beginning of the movie and meet for the first time under contrived, fanciful and/or cloyingly cute circumstances. Hijinks tend to ensue.

Fairly recent examples:

• Notting Hill: Hugh Grant accidentally spills orange juice on Julia Roberts' shirt while turning a corner.
• Serendipity: John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale grab the pair of gloves at Bloomingdale's.
• The Wedding Planner: Matthew McConaughey saves Jennifer Lopez from being crushed by a runaway dumpster.

You get the picture.

Sometimes spelled as: meet-cute