Meaning of action in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈækʃ(ə)n/

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  1. Verb

    action

    Definitions

    1. institute legal proceedings against

    Examples

    • « file a suit against »
    • « He was warned that the district attorney would process him »
    • « She actioned the company for discrimination »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. put in effect

    Examples

    • « carry out a task »
    • « execute the decision of the people »
    • « He actioned the operation »

    Derived terms

  3. Noun

    action

    Etymology

    late Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio(n-), from agere‘do, act’

    Definitions

    1. something done (usually as opposed to something said)

    Examples

    • « there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions »

    Derived terms

  4. 2. the state of being active

    Examples

    • « his sphere of activity »
    • « he is out of action »

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

  5. 3. a judicial proceeding brought by one party against another

    Examples

    • « one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong »

    Derived terms

  6. 4. an act by a government body or supranational organization

    Examples

    • « 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 actio »
  7. 5. a military engagement

    Examples

    • « he saw action in Korea »
  8. 6. a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)

    Examples

    • « the action of natural forces »
    • « volcanic activity »
  9. 7. the series of events that form a plot

    Examples

    • « his novels always have a lot of action »
  10. 8. the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism

    Examples

    • « the piano had a very stiff action »
  11. 9. the trait of being active and energetic and forceful

    Examples

    • « a man of action »
  12. 10. the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field

    Examples

    • « the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds »
    • « gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible »

Famous quotes

  • « I like action movies, even though I think action movies are kind of derided now. But there is something extraordinary about action movies, which is absolutely linked to the invention of cinema and what cinema is and why we love it. »
    Danny Boyle
  • « I found it peculiar that those who wanted to take military action could - with 100 per cent certainty - know that the weapons existed and turn out to have zero knowledge of where they were. »
    Hans Blix
  • « By action and reaction do we become strong or weak, according to the character of our thoughts and mental states. Fear is the deadly nightshade of the mind. »
    Edward Walker
  • « I began revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action. »
    Fidel Castro
  • « Doubt, of whatever kind, can be ended by action alone. »
    Thomas Carlyle

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