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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.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms action idiom

law action definition - legal

medical action definition - medical

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.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

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.

Modifies a noun

  • plan: Why not re-launch your Local Compact, a new action plan or launch a Local Code of good practice?

Noun used with modifier

  • enforcement: Regulators will need to consider enforcement action against any operator failing to comply.
action usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

action quotes

Neither action nor style could have accomplished the result alone.Both were needed.

-Acheson, Dean Gooderham

And my parents finally realize that I'm kidnapped and they snap into action immediately: they rent out my room.

-Allen,Woody pseudonym of  Allen Stewart Konigsberg

Every art and every inquiry, and similarly everyaction and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim.

-Aristotle

action quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"action." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/action>

APA Style

action. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/action

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