Meaning of action in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈækʃ(ə)n/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce action in British English, in context ▾
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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 »
2. 2. put in effect

   Examples

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

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 »
4. 2. the state of being active

   Examples

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

   Antonyms

   • inaction
   • inactivity
   • inactiveness
   • inaction
   • inactivity
   • inactiveness
   • inaction
   • inactivity
   • inactiveness
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 »
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 »