action

AK-shuhn/ˈæk.ʃn̩/

23 meanings of action

1
something donenouncountable or uncountable
Something that a person does, usually to reach a goal.
Her quick action saved the child from falling.
Every action you take has results.
UsageSay take action when you start doing something about a problem.
Similaract, deed, move, step, measure
2
thrills (film)nouncountable or uncountable
Fast, exciting movement or activity.
Like a busy playground where something is always happening.
The movie was full of action from start to finish.
Kids love games with lots of action.
UsageOften in an action movie: a film full of fights and chases.
Similarexcitement, activity
3
nouncountable or uncountable
The effort of doing or carrying out a task.
The plan needs action, not just talk.
It is time for action instead of more meetings.
UsageSay take action: we need action, not just talk.
Similaractivity, intervention, response
Oppositeinaction, inactivity, passivity
4
nouncountable or uncountable
A case brought before a court of law.
She brought an action against her landlord.
The judge dismissed the action for lack of evidence.
UsageShe brought an action against her landlord: she took him to court.
Similarlawsuit, suit, case, claim, proceedings
Note
5
nouncountable or uncountable
The way something moves or works.
The horse has a smooth action when it runs.
The coach filmed the pitcher to study his throwing action.
Similarmovement, motion, stroke
6
warfarenouncountable or uncountable
Fighting in a war or battle.
The young soldiers saw action near the river crossing.
Many troops were lost in the action that morning.
UsageSay soldiers see action when they fight.
Similarcombat, battle, fighting, warfare
7
protestnouncountable or uncountable
A public protest organized by people who want change.
The students held an action in the main square to protest the rise in fees.
They joined a peaceful action outside the city hall.
UsageActivists stage an action.
Similarprotest, demonstration, rally
Note
8
natural processnouncountable or uncountable
A natural process that happens on its own, not made by people.
Like the way dripping water can slowly carve a hollow in stone.
The action of water slowly wears away the rock.
Wind action shaped the smooth desert dunes.
UsageSay the action of water or wind.
Similareffect, work, working
Note
9
plotnouncountable or uncountable
The main events that make up the story of a play or book.
The action of the play takes place in a single night.
Most of the action happens in the second half of the novel.
UsageSay the action takes place in a city or at a time.
Similarplot, story, storyline, narrative
Note
10
nouncountable or uncountable
The moving parts inside a machine, gun, or piano that make it work.
This rifle has a smooth, reliable action.
The old piano's action needs cleaning and repair.
Similarmechanism
Note

Less common meanings

11
start signalinterjection
Said to tell people to begin a scene or performance.
Lights, camera, action!
The director shouted, 'Action!' and the scene began.
UsageSaid in Lights, camera, action!
Oppositecut
Note
12
sexnounslangcountable or uncountable
Sex or kissing and touching, talked about in slang as something a person wants to get.
He was hoping to get some action at the party.
She went home with a guy from the bar and finally got some action.
UsageOften get some action. Keep it for chats with friends.
Similarsex, intercourse, copulation, lovemaking, coitus
13
verbtransitive
At work, to deal with a request or task so that it gets done.
The team will action your request first thing tomorrow.
Please action these changes before the end of the day.
UsageUse with a task or request, not a person: action a request.
Similarimplement, address, handle, process, execute
Oppositeignore, disregard
14
string heightnouncountable or uncountable
The gap between the strings and the fingerboard on a string instrument.
The guitar's action was so high it hurt to press the strings.
Lowering the action made the violin much easier to play.
Note
15
pose (art)nouncountable or uncountable
The pose of a figure in a painting or statue that shows feeling.
The statue's action showed deep sorrow.
The kneeling figure's action, head bowed and hands clasped, expresses deep sorrow.
Similarpose, posture, attitude, gesture
Note
16
sueverbarchaictransitive
To start a court case against someone.
I have actioned him for Libel, but he won’t plead, and says he will make himself bankrupt & won’t pay a penny.
1871, Michael Shermer, quoting Alfred Russell WallaceHere, actioned means took someone to court.
‘I have no business to settle with you—arrest me, Sir, at your peril and I’ll action you in law for false imprisonment.’
1856, Thomas Chandler Haliburton, The Attaché: or Sam Slick in EnglandHere, action means to take someone to court.
Note
17
company sharenounobsoletecountable or uncountable
A part-ownership share in a company or in public funds.
the Euripus of funds and actions
1790, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceHere, actions means shares of ownership in a company, or government funds.
So saying he presented him with two actions of above two thousand livres each.
1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine PickleHere, actions means shares of ownership in a company's money.
Note
18
nouncolloquialuncountable
Betting, the total money people bet, or a chance to make a bet.
My uncle drove to the casino looking for some action.
The man who takes bets said there was a lot of action on Sunday's game.
UsageSay looking for action: looking for a chance to bet.
Similarbetting, wagering
19
noun
The spin a bowler puts on the ball.
20
noun
A way that each part of one math structure changes another set while keeping its own structure.
21
noun
A physics quantity found by multiplying energy by the time it lasts.
22
adjectiveManglish
Acting like you are better or more important than other people.
23
noun
A solemn church service or ceremony, especially one held before communion.
The Action Sermon is quite simply, then, the eucharistic sermon.
2008, Duncan B. Forrester, Doug GayHere, Action refers to the special church service and sermon given before communion.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin "actio," meaning the act of doing something, from the verb "agere" (to do or act). English got it through Old French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts

English action derives from Latin actio. en.wiktionary.org
Latin actio means the act of doing something. en.wiktionary.org
Latin actio derives from the verb agere, meaning to do or act. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin verb's infinitive agere means to do or act. en.wiktionary.org
English received the word through Old French. en.wiktionary.org