noun
reaction
ree-AK-shuhn
noun
1
A response, in words, feelings, or actions, to something that has happened.
"His first reaction was disbelief."
"The audience's reaction to the film was mixed."
2
A chemical process in which substances combine or break down to form new substances.
"The reaction produced heat and a bright flash of light."
3
Political resistance to change, favouring a return to older or more traditional arrangements.
"The revolution provoked a wave of reaction among conservatives."
How to Use Reaction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA response to an event — emotional, chemical, or political depending on context.
Common pairings
gut reaction
chemical reaction
mixed reaction
Word Forms
reactions plural
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Etymology
From Latin reactio, built from re- ("again") and agere ("to do, to act").