action Hear it!

action Definition

ac·tion (ak′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the doing of something; state of being in motion or of working
  2. an act or thing done
  3. behavior; habitual conduct
  4. habitual activity characterized by energy and boldness a man of action
  5. the effect produced by something the action of a drug
  6. the way of moving, working, etc., as of a machine, an organ of the body, etc.
  7. the moving parts or mechanism, as of a gun, piano, etc.
    1. the sequence of happenings in a story or play; plot
    2. any of such happenings
    3. such happenings when exciting
  9. a legal proceeding by which one seeks to have a wrong put right; lawsuit
    1. a military encounter
    2. military combat in general
  11. the appearance of animation in a painting, sculpture, etc.
  12. 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

  1. to become active
  2. 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.

  1. 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*. *

    Antonyms rest*, quiet*, inaction. *

  2. 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.

  3. A process at law

    suit, claim, litigation, lawsuit; see trial 2.

  4. Military activity

    battle, engagement, combat, fighting; see battle 1, 2.

  5. The plot or events in a creative work

    plot, development, progress, unfolding; see plot 2. See syn. study atbattle.

bring action

accuse, start a lawsuit, take to court; see sue.

see action

do battle, engage in combat, fight; see fight 2.

take action

become active, do, initiate activity; see act 1.

action Law Definition

n

  1. Any behavior, conduct, or series of acts by a person.
  2. A civil or criminal judicial proceeding intended to resolve a legal dispute, claim, or accusation.
civil action
An action brought to enforce, protect, or redress a civil or private right or to compel a civil remedy; any action brought other than a criminal action.
class action
  1. 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.
  2. 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
An action initiated by the government to punish a person or entity for a crime.
damage action
An action seeking an award of money from the defendant for a wrong committed upon the plaintiff.
derivative action
  1. 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.
  2. 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
See in personam.
in rem action
See in rem.
quasi in rem action
An action against an out-of-state defendant over whom the state lacks in personam jurisdiction that is commenced by the attachment, garnishment, or other seizure of property owned by the defendant that is located within the state and that is unrelated to the plaintiff’s claim.
third-party action
An action initiated by a defendant in a civil case against a person or entity who is not a party to the proceeding that is against the defendant and against whom the defendant claims a right of contribution or indemnity, should the defendant be found liable to the plaintiff.

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.