Definitions for action
ˈæk ʃənac·tion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.7 / 3 votes

1. actionnoun

   something done (usually as opposed to something said)

   "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"

2. action, activity, activenessnoun

   the state of being active

   "his sphere of activity"; "he is out of action"

3. military action, actionnoun

   a military engagement

   "he saw action in Korea"

4. natural process, natural action, action, activitynoun

   a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)

   "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"

5. actionnoun

   the series of events that form a plot

   "his novels always have a lot of action"

6. actionnoun

   the trait of being active and energetic and forceful

   "a man of action"

7. action, action mechanismnoun

   the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism

   "the piano had a very stiff action"

8. legal action, action, action at lawnoun

   a judicial proceeding brought by one party against another; one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong

9. actionnoun

   an act by a government body or supranational organization

   "recent federal action undermined the segregationist position"; "the United Nations must have the power to propose and organize action without being hobbled by irrelevant issues"; "the Union action of emancipating Southern slaves"

10. actionverb

    the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field

    "the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds"; "gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible"

11. action, sue, litigate, processverb

    institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against

    "He was warned that the district attorney would process him"; "She actioned the company for discrimination"

12. carry through, accomplish, execute, carry out, action, fulfill, fulfilverb

    put in effect

    "carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation"

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. actionnoun

   Something done so as to accomplish a purpose.

2. actionnoun

   A way of motion or functioning.

   Knead bread with a rocking action.

3. actionnoun

   A fast-paced activity.

   an action movie

4. actionnoun

   A mechanism; a moving part or assembly.

   a rifle action

5. actionnoun

   The mechanism, that is the set of moving mechanical parts, of a keyboard instrument, like a piano, which transfers the motion of the key to the sound-making device.

6. actionnoun

   sexual intercourse.

   She gave him some action.

7. actionnoun

   The distance separating the strings and the fretboard on the guitar.

8. actionnoun

   Combat.

   He saw some action in the Korean War.

9. actionnoun

   A charge or other process in a law court (also called lawsuit and actio).

10. actionverb

    To act on a request etc, in order to put it into effect.

11. actionverb

    To initiate a legal action against someone.

12. actionnoun

    A homomorphism from a group to a group of automorphisms.

    One of the earliest uses of groups, according to lore, was the study of the action of uE00013481uE001 on the equilateral triangle.

13. actioninterjection

    Demanding or signifying the start of something, usually an act or scene of a theatric performance.

    The director yelled Action!' before the camera started rolling.

14. Etymology: From accion, from action, from actio, from actus, perfect passive participle of ago, + action suffix -io; see act.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Actionnoun

   Etymology: action, Fr. actio, Lat.

   1. The quality or state of acting, opposite to rest.

   O noble English, that could entertain
   With half their forces the full power of France;
   And let another half stand laughing by,
   All out of work, and cold for action. William Shakespeare, Henry V.

   2. An act or thing done; a deed.

   This action, I now go on,
   Is for my better grace. William Shakespeare, Winter’s Tale.

   God never accepts a good inclination instead of a good action, where that action may be done; nay, so much the contrary, that, if a good inclination be not seconded by a good action, the want of that action is made so much the more criminal and inexcusable. Robert South, Sermons.

   3. Agency, operation.

   It is better therefore, that the earth should move about its own center, and make those useful vicissitudes of night and day, than expose always the same side to the action of the sun. Richard Bentley, Sermons.

   He has settled laws, and laid down rules, conformable to which natural bodies are governed in their actions upon one another. George Cheyne, Philosophical Principles.

   4. The series of events represented in a fable.

   This action should have three qualifications. First, it should be but one action; secondly, it should be an entire action; and, thirdly, it should be a great action. Joseph Addison, Spectat. №. 267.

   5. Gesticulation; the accordance of the motions of the body with the words spoken; a part of oratory.

   —— He that speaks doth gripe the hearer’s wrist,
   While he that hears makes fearful action
   With wrinkled brows. William Shakespeare, King John.

   Our oratours are observed to make use of less gesture or action than those of other countries. Joseph Addison, Spectat. №. 407.

   6. [In law.] It is used with the preposition against before the person, and for before the thing.Actions are personal, real, and mixt: action personal belongs to a man against another, by reason of any contract, offence, or cause, of like force with a contract or offence made or done by him or some other, for whose fact he is to answer. Action real is given to any man against another, that possesses the thing required or sued for in his own name, and no other man’s. Action mixt is that which lies as well against or for the thing which we seek, as against the person that hath it; called mixt, because it hath a mixt respect both to the thing and to the person. Action is divided into civil, penal, and mixt. Action civil is that which tends only to the recovery of that which is due to us; as, a sum of money formerly lent. Action penal is that which aims at some penalty or punishment in the party sued, be it corporal or pecuniary: as, in common law, the next friends of a man feloniously slain shall pursue the law against the murderer. Action mixt is that which seeks both the thing whereof we are deprived, and a penalty also for the unjust detaining of the same. Action upon the case, is an action given for redress of wrongs done without force against any man, by law not specially provided for. Action upon the statute, is an action brought against a man upon breach of a statute. John Cowell

   There was never man could have a juster action against filthy fortune than I, since all other things being granted me, her blindness is the only lett. Philip Sidney.

   For our reward then,
   First, all our debts are paid; dangers of law,
   Actions, decrees, judgments, against us quitted. Ben Jonson, Catiline.

   7. In the plural, in France, the same as stocks in England.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ACTION

   ACTION is a bus operator in Canberra, Australia owned by the ACT Government.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a certain objective or accomplish a particular task. It can also refer to an act that one consciously wills or to a series of activities carried out for a specific purpose. In the context of law, it refers to a case or lawsuit. In drama or literature, action pertains to the main events or sequence of events in a story. In physics, it's a property of a system measured as the product of energy and time.

2. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a goal, aim or objective. It can also refer to the fact or state of doing something to deal with a problem or situation. In other contexts, action can represent a physical movement or function, or it can be a legal term referring to a lawsuit or legal proceeding.

3. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, often to achieve an aim or goal. It can also denote the manner in which an entity behaves or functions. In broader terms, it can describe a series of events occurring as part of a play, movie, or story.

4. action

   An action refers to the act of doing something, typically to achieve a goal or objective. It can involve physical movement or mental activity. In broader terms, it can also refer to the process of functioning or to the effect that a particular entity has on another. Actions can also refer to the events or series of events in a plot within literature or film.

5. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a specific goal or objective. It can refer to a physical movement, a legal step, or a series of activities performed consciously, often involving effort and decision making. In other contexts, it might relate to the event or sequence of events in a narrative or dramatic work, or to a traditional sequence of activities in a process or system.

6. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, typically in order to accomplish a specific goal or objective. It can also refer to acts or deeds as represented in various forms of art or legal procedures. In the context of a narrative such as a film or book, action signifies events or sequences that involve physical activity, excitement, or suspense. In physics, action is a specific property of the path taken by a system from a start to an end state.

7. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a specific goal, objective, or aim. It can also refer to the fact or process of doing something, typically to deal with a problem or difficult situation. In a broader sense, action can also refer to the functioning or workings of something or the effect produced by it. In drama or literature, it denotes the events or sequence portrayed in a story or play.

8. action

   Action refers to the process of doing something, typically in order to achieve a particular objective or goal. It can also refer to an act that one consciously wills or the operational part of a certain mechanism. In a broader context, it can signify activities, movements or operations.

9. action

   Action refers to the process or act of doing something, typically to achieve a specific goal or objective. It may involve physical or mental activity and can be an individual or collective activity. In a broader context, action can also refer to a series of events or the plot in a story, film, or play. It is essentially the deliberate or intentional behavior that is taken to accomplish a particular result.

10. action

    An action is any deed or task performed by an individual, group, or system. It could be a physical movement, like running or driving, or intangible, like thinking or deciding. Actions can also refer to the process of doing something to achieve an aim or the way something operates or functions. In legal terms, action often refers to a lawsuit. In a screenplay or novel, 'action' refers to the events that take play in the plot.

11. action

    An action refers to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a particular aim or objective. It can also refer to the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim; in law, it means a lawsuit; in entertainment, it signifies exciting activity or events in a film, book, play, etc.

12. action

    An action is the process of doing something, typically to achieve a goal or objective. It can refer to any human behavior or conduct, including both physical movements or activities, and mental or verbal activities. In a broader context, it can also refer to activities taken by entities or groups such as countries, organizations, or systems.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Actionnoun

   a process or condition of acting or moving, as opposed to rest; the doing of something; exertion of power or force, as when one body acts on another; the effect of power exerted on one body by another; agency; activity; operation; as, the action of heat; a man of action

2. Actionnoun

   an act; a thing done; a deed; an enterprise. (pl.): Habitual deeds; hence, conduct; behavior; demeanor

3. Actionnoun

   the event or connected series of events, either real or imaginary, forming the subject of a play, poem, or other composition; the unfolding of the drama of events

4. Actionnoun

   movement; as, the horse has a spirited action

5. Actionnoun

   effective motion; also, mechanism; as, the breech action of a gun

6. Actionnoun

   any one of the active processes going on in an organism; the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice

7. Actionnoun

   gesticulation; the external deportment of the speaker, or the suiting of his attitude, voice, gestures, and countenance, to the subject, or to the feelings

8. Actionnoun

   the attitude or position of the several parts of the body as expressive of the sentiment or passion depicted

9. Actionnoun

   a suit or process, by which a demand is made of a right in a court of justice; in a broad sense, a judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense

10. Actionnoun

    a right of action; as, the law gives an action for every claim

11. Actionnoun

    a share in the capital stock of a joint-stock company, or in the public funds; hence, in the plural, equivalent to stocks

12. Actionnoun

    an engagement between troops in war, whether on land or water; a battle; a fight; as, a general action, a partial action

13. Actionnoun

    the mechanical contrivance by means of which the impulse of the player's finger is transmitted to the strings of a pianoforte or to the valve of an organ pipe

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. ACTION

   ACTION is a public bus service operating in Canberra, ACT, Australia. It is a division of the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate of the ACT Government. The Minister responsible for TAMS is Shane Rattenbury MLA and the Director of ACTION is James Roncon. Its name was derived as an acronym of Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network, but it is now officially known as ACTION. Other bus services in Canberra are operated by Deane's Transit Group and Royale Limousines. There are no other modes of public transport operating within the ACT.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Action

   ak′shun, n. a state of acting: activity in the abstract: a deed: operation: gesture: a battle: a lawsuit, or proceedings in a court: the movement of events in a drama, novel, &c.—adj. Ac′tionable, liable to a lawsuit.—n. Ac′tion-tak′ing (Shak.), resenting an injury by a lawsuit instead of fighting it out like a man of honour.

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. action

   Synonymous with battle. Also a term in mechanics for the effort which one body exerts against another, or the effects resulting therefrom.--Action and reaction, the mutual, successive, contrary impulses of two bodies.

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. action

   An engagement between two armies, or bodies of troops. The word is likewise used to signify some memorable act done by an officer, soldier, detachment, or party.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. action

   The process of to act or do

   They took action as it was vital to ensure the house was warm and cosy for the family.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on January 19, 2020  

2. ---

   action

   To act, do or contribute to a plan, project, purpose or task.

   They took action immediately to ensure that they had everything they needed for their family gathering.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on January 19, 2020  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. action

   Song lyrics by action -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by action on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Act
   • Challenge
   • Complete
   • Drive
   • Effect
   • Group Action
   • Mechanism
   • Military
   • Plot
   • Process
   • State

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'action' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #404

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'action' in Written Corpus Frequency: #904

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'action' in Nouns Frequency: #104

Anagrams for action »

1. atonic

2. cation

How to pronounce action?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say action in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of action in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of action in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of action in a Sentence

1. Lewis Baldwin:

   Democratic Socialist was not talking about race-based affirmative action. Democratic Socialist was concerned about need-based affirmative action, if you look at Democratic Socialist call for an economic bill of rights, Democratic Socialist was talking about affirmative action that benefited all people that were poor and deprived.

2. Lois McMaster Bujold:

   His mother had often said, When you choose an action, you choose the consequences of that action. She had emphasized the corollary of this axiom even more vehemently when you desired a consequence you had damned well better take the action that would create it.

3. James Comey:

   So at that point, what do you do? Take no action if you can avoid it, and I kept looking for a door that said, ‘No action here,’ and I can’t find it. I could only see two doors and they were both action. One said ‘speak’ and the other said ‘conceal.'.

4. Chris Paul:

   Were about action, and thats what our meeting was about. Its about real action. Weve been saying this, weve been saying that, but whats the action?

5. Norman Vincent Peale:

   Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.

Popularity rank by frequency of use