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reaction definition

re·ac·tion (rē aks̸hən)

noun

  1. a return or opposing action, force, influence, etc.
  2. a response, as to a stimulus or influence
  3. a movement back to a former or less advanced condition, stage, etc.; esp., such a movement or tendency in economics or politics; extreme conservatism
  4. Chem.
    1. the mutual action of substances undergoing chemical change
    2. a process that involves changes within the nucleus of an atom
    3. the state resulting from such changes
  5. Med.
    1. an action induced by resistance to another action
    2. the effect produced by an allergen
    3. a depression or exhaustion of energy following nervous tension, overstimulation, etc.
    4. an increased activity following depression
  6. Physiol., Psychol. an organic response to a stimulus

Related Forms:

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

Alternate definitions:
reaction Synonyms

reaction

n.

  1. An answer

    response, reply, rejoinder, reception, receptivity, return, feedback, feeling, opinion, reflection, counteraction, resistance, backlash, attitude, retort, reciprocation, repercussion, effect, reflex; see also answer 1, opinion 1, result.

    Reactions to stimuli include: contraction, expansion, dilation, constriction, jerk, knee jerk, tropism, heliotropism, phototropism, cognition, shock, exhaustion, stupor, anger, disgust, revulsion, fear, joy, laughter, wonder.

  2. A backward tendency, especially in politics

    conservatism, backlash, status quo, rightism, toryism, retrenchment, regression, relapse, retrogression, retreat, withdrawal, backsliding, return to normalcy, return to the good old days; see also conservatism, stability 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.

reaction Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • halogenoalkanes: The reaction of secondary halogenoalkanes with ammonia No current A ' level syllabus is likely to ask you about this.

Converse of object

  • provoke: GM cats which don't provoke allergic reactions in humans?

Adjective modifier

  • allergic: They may be able to test your horse's nasal fluid for signs of an allergic reaction.

Modifies a noun

  • kinetics: The analysis of Al based alloys by calorimetry: Quantitative analysis of reactions and reaction kinetics Review paper by M.J. Starink Int.

Noun used with modifier

  • polymerase: The measurement relies on a chemical process called the ' polymerase chain reaction ' or PCR.
reaction 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.

reaction quotes

Actioni contrarium semper et aequalem esse reactionem: sive corporum duorum actiones in se mutuosemper esse aequales et inpartes contrarias dirigi. To everyaction there is always opposed an equal reaction: or, themutual actions oftwo bodiesuponeach other are always equal, and directed to contrary parts.

-Newton, Sir Isaac

   Vengeance is a personal reaction. But not one that government can indulge in.

-Reno,Janet

Television has spread the habit of instant reaction and has stimulated the hope of instant results.

-Schlesinger, Arthur M(eier),Jr

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

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

APA Style

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

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

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