action

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   something done, usually as opposed to something said

   There were stories of murders and other unnatural actions.

2. 2
   noun

   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

3. 3
   noun

   a military engagement

   The unit saw action in Korea.

4. 4
   noun

   an act by a government body or supranational organization

   recent federal action undermined the segregationist position

5. 5
   noun

   the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism

   the piano had a very stiff action

6. 6
   noun

   the trait of being active and energetic and forceful

   A person ready to jump, leap, or run at any moment is ready for action.

7. 7
   noun

   the series of events that form a plot

   The writer's newer novels have a lot of action.

8. 8
   noun

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

   the action of natural forces

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Latin āctum Proto-Indo-European *-tisder. Proto-Italic *-tjō Latin -tiō Latin āctiō Old French aucionbor. Middle English accioun English action From Middle English accioun, accion, from Old French aucion, acciun, from Latin āctiō(n) (“act of doing or making”), from āct(us) + action suffix -iō(n), perfect passive participle of agere (“do, act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. See also act, active. By surface analysis, act + -ion.