noun
action
AK-shuhn
noun
1
The process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose.
"The company took swift action to fix the problem."
"His words were followed by immediate action."
2
Exciting or fast-paced activity, especially in a film or story.
"The movie is packed with car chases and action."
3
A formal legal proceeding; a lawsuit.
"The company filed a legal action against its former partner."
4
The mechanism of a device, such as a firearm or musical instrument, that makes it work.
"The gunsmith cleaned and oiled the rifle's action."
How to Use Action
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something to get a result — or, in other senses, exciting activity, a lawsuit, or the moving parts of a mechanism.
Common pairings
take action
legal action
action-packed
Word Forms
more action comparative, actioned past tense, actions plural, actions singular, most action superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “action”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company took swift _____ to fix the problem.
Etymology
From Old French accion/aucion, from Latin actio(n)- ("a doing"), from agere ("to do, act").