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action definition

ac·tion (aks̸hən)

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
  8. a legal proceeding by which one seeks to have a wrong put right; lawsuit
    1. a military encounter
    2. military combat in general
  9. the appearance of animation in a painting, sculpture, etc.
  10. 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 (aks̸hən)

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 © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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