Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition action in British English

action noun

noun
/ˈækʃ(ə)n/

▪ concerted, corrective, decisive, disciplinary, immediate, prompt, punitive, remedial, urgent

1

the process of doing something, especially in order to stop a bad situation from developing or continuing

Example

Officials are not planning any drastic action.

Example

We urge the authorities to take action.

Example

We have three possible courses of action.

Synonyms and related words
action execution discharge
1.1

the process of stopping work or working less effectively in order to protest about your pay, working conditions etc. This kind of action is also called industrial action

Example

The strikers voted to suspend their action.

Synonyms and related words
action blackleg break a strike
1.2

the process of bringing a case to a court of law. This kind of action is also called legal action

Example

The magazine will fight the libel action brought by the Prime Minister.

Synonyms and related words
action advocacy appeal
2

something you do, especially something that seems wrong or unusual to other people

Example

How can you justify your actions?

Synonyms and related words
action measure doings
3

a movement that you make with your body

Example

She found herself copying his actions.

Example

reflex actions such as swallowing

Synonyms and related words
action body language flourish
3.1

a movement that goes with a children's song

Example

I'll sing and you can do the actions.

Synonyms and related words
action blind man’s buff catch
Example

This switch slows down the action of the pump.

Example

the erosive action of a great glacier

Synonyms and related words
movement transit motion
4

the effect that something such as a drug or chemical has

Example

the action of certain chemicals on the brain

Synonyms and related words
action adsorb aerate
5

fighting that is part of a war

Example

Can military action be avoided?

Example

a list of soldiers missing in action

Example

We've been told we're unlikely to see action.

Synonyms and related words
drawdown overwatch war
Example

Where's all the action in this town?

Synonyms and related words
danger crisis emergency
7

the events that form part of a play or film

Example

In Scene 1, the action takes place in an expensive restaurant.

Synonyms and related words
act action ad-lib
Definition action in British English

Related Words

Words related to action:

action (noun) action (verb) action figure (noun) action replay (noun) action research (noun) action song (noun) action stations (interjection) action-packed (adjective) affirmative action (noun) call to action (phrase) capillary action (noun) cause of action (noun) class action (noun) direct action (noun) in action (phrase) industrial action (noun) leap into action (phrase) legal action (noun) out of action (phrase) pre-action protocol (noun) put something into action (phrase) rearguard action (noun) replay (noun) swing into action (phrase) take evasive action (phrase)