action meaning and definition

ACTION noun

Definition of action (noun)

1. something done (usually as opposed to something said)
   • "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
2. the state of being active
   • "his sphere of activity"; "he is out of action"
   • synonyms: activeness, activity
   • antonym: inaction
3. a military engagement
   • "he saw action in Korea"
   • synonyms: military action
4. a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
   • "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"
   • synonyms: activity, natural action, natural process
5. the series of events that form a plot
   • "his novels always have a lot of action"
6. the trait of being active and energetic and forceful
   • "a man of action"
7. the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism
   • "the piano had a very stiff action"
   • synonyms: action mechanism
8. 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
   • synonyms: action at law, legal action
9. 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. 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"

ACTION verb

Definition of action (verb)

1. institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
   • "He was warned that the district attorney would process him"; "She actioned the company for discrimination"
   • synonyms: litigate, process, sue
2. put in effect
   • "carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation"
   • synonyms: accomplish, carry out, carry through, execute, fulfil, fulfill