action Definition
ac·tion (ak′s̸hən)
noun
- the doing of something; state of being in motion or of working
- an act or thing done
- behavior; habitual conduct
- habitual activity characterized by energy and boldness a man of action
- the effect produced by something the action of a drug
- the way of moving, working, etc., as of a machine, an organ of the body, etc.
- the moving parts or mechanism, as of a gun, piano, etc.
- the sequence of happenings in a story or play; plot
- any of such happenings
- such happenings when exciting
- a legal proceeding by which one seeks to have a wrong put right; lawsuit
- a military encounter
- military combat in general
- the appearance of animation in a painting, sculpture, etc.
- Slang activity or excitement; specif., gambling activity
Etymology: ME accion < OFr action < L actio < pp. of agere: see act
action Idioms
bring action
to start a lawsuit
see action
to participate in military combat
take action
- to become active
- to start a lawsuit
ACTION Definition
☆ ACTION (ak′s̸hən)
noun
a federal agency established in 1971 to supervise all U.S. government programs and agencies for volunteers, as the Peace Corps, VISTA, etc.
action Synonyms
action
n.
Any state opposed to rest and quiet
activity, movement, operation, performance, business, occupation, work, functioning, performing, behavior, response, reaction, execution, commission, manipulation, industry, bustle, turmoil, conflict, stir, flurry, animation, vivacity, enterprise, energy, drive, liveliness, alacrity, alertness, readiness, quickness, keenness, vigor, life, dash, commotion, rush, motion, mobility, haste, speed, activism, go*, doings*, snap*. * An individual deed
act, deed, feat, exploit, performance, accomplishment, something done, maneuver, step, achievement, thing, blow, stroke, thrust, stratagem, effort, enterprise, endeavor, move, movement, doing, effect, transaction, exertion, operation, bout, handiwork, dealings, procedure, stunt, trick. A process at law
suit, claim, litigation, lawsuit; see trial 2.Military activity
battle, engagement, combat, fighting; see battle 1, 2.The plot or events in a creative work
plot, development, progress, unfolding; see plot 2. See syn. study atbattle.
bring action
see action
take action
action Law Definition
n
- Any behavior, conduct, or series of acts by a person.
- A civil or criminal judicial proceeding intended to resolve a legal dispute, claim, or accusation.
civil action
class action
- An action brought by a person or a group of people as representatives of a larger group who have a common legal claim but are so numerous that it is impracticable for all of them to participate or be joined as individual parties in the case.
- An action brought against a large group of people who have a common legal defense to a claim that they are all potentially liable for but are so numerous that it is impracticable for all of them to participate or be joined as individual parties in the case.
criminal action
damage action
derivative action
- An action brought on behalf of a corporation by a shareholder when that corporation is entitled to bring an action and, deliberatively or otherwise, fails to do so.
- An action that is based upon the injury suffered by someone other than the plaintiff. For example, a husband may sue for loss of consortium or services if the defendant injured his wife.
in personam action
in rem action
quasi in rem action
third-party action
action Usage Examples
Converse of object
- take: The SAI does not have any role on the disposal or the action taken on the audit findings.
- perform: If you perform negative actions, then you will suffer negative consequences and positive consequences will result from positive actions.
- propose: Proposed action by directors or ESS team leaders should be communicated to the relevant staff.
- require: The research suggests that there is little regulatory action required in the short term.
- threaten: The billing company ordered her to pay and threatened court action against her son, if she did not.
Preposition: on
behalf: His actions on behalf of His people will reveal His character to them.
Adjective modifier
- disciplinary: Disciplinary action will be taken against students breaking the regulations or driving dangerously.
- industrial: Under UK labor laws, industrial action must commence within four weeks of a ballot closing.
- legal: With less than a 50/50 chance of success, relatives of the late Doreen Ellis have had to stop legal action against Cape.
- military: I will not support any UK military action which has not been approved by the United Nations under international law.
- remedial: In both cases a prompt notification by the tenant is required to enable remedial action to be taken.
- urgent: Given the pace of developments, the need is for urgent action not " more research " .
Modifies a noun
- plan: Why not re-launch your Local Compact, a new action plan or launch a Local Code of good practice?
- sequence: His background in action is also duly noted here as some of the action sequences in Nemesis look very good.
- by: ACTION BY: Director of Law and Administration ( CR ) 12.
Noun used with modifier
- enforcement: Regulators will need to consider enforcement action against any operator failing to comply.
- strike: He quickly succeeds in provoking the builders into taking strike action.
- libel: Lipstadt libel action ( index )... witness statements ( index ).. .
- biodiversity: This is one of the key areas in the council's own biodiversity action plan.
- court: The OFT may accept suitable undertakings given to it instead of taking court action.
Browse dictionary entries near action
- ‹ actinozoan
- ‹ actinouranium
- ‹ actinon
- ‹ actinomycosis
- ‹ actinomycin
- ‹ actinomycete
- ‹ actinomorphic
- ‹ actinometer
- ‹ actinology
- ‹ actinolite

