action

Definition of action

Etymology

< Middle English accion < Old French action < Latin actio ("doing or making") < perfect passive participle actus ("deed") < verb agere ("to do, act") + action suffix -io; see act.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈæk.ʃən/, SAMPA: /"{kS@n/
• Audio (US) ^[?]
• Rhymes: -æk.ʃən

Noun

action (plural actions)

1. Something done so as to accomplish a purpose.
2. A way of motion or functioning.
   
   Knead bread with a rocking action.
   
   
3. A fast-paced activity.
   
   an action movie
   
   
4. A mechanism; a moving part or assembly.
   
   a rifle action
   
   
5. (music): The set of moving mechanical parts in a keyboard instrument which transfer the motion of the key to the sound-making device.
6. (slang) sexual intercourse.
   
   She gave him some action.
   
   
7. The distance separating the strings and the fretboard on the guitar.
8. (military) Combat.
   
   He saw some action in the Korean War.
   
   
9. (law) A charge or other process in a law court.

Derived terms

terms derived from action (noun)

• social action
• action hero
• action item
• action man
• actions speak louder than words
• direct action
• lights, camera, action!
• take action

Related terms

terms related to action (noun)

• act
• agent
• agency

Interjection

action

1. 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.

Verb

to action (third-person singular simple present actions, present participle actioning, simple past and past participle actioned)

1. (transitive, management) To act on a request etc, in order to put it into effect.

Usage notes

• The verb sense to action is rejected by some usage authorities.[1]

References

• OED 2nd edition 1989
• Notes:
  1. "She Literally Exploded : The Daily Telegraph Infuriating Phrasebook", Christopher Howse and Richard Preston (Constable‧London, 2007; ISBN 978‒1‒84529‒675‒9), page 3

External links

• action in Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• action in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams

• Alphagram: acinot
• atonic
• cation