/ ˈækʃn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
WHAT SB DOES
1.
[ U ] the process of doing sth in order to make sth happen or to deal with a situation :
The time has come for action if these beautiful animals are to survive.
Firefighters took action immediately to stop the blaze spreading.
What is the best course of action in the circumstances?
She began to explain her plan of action to the group.
—see also direct action , industrial action
2.
[ C ] a thing that sb does :
Her quick action saved the child's life.
Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions.
LEGAL PROCESS
3.
[ C , U ] a legal process to stop a person or company from doing sth, or to make them pay for a mistake, etc. :
A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.
He is considering taking legal action against the hospital.
IN WAR
4.
[ U ] fighting in a battle or war :
military action
soldiers killed in action
IN STORY / PLAY
5.
[ U ] the events in a story, play, etc. :
The action takes place in France.
EXCITING EVENTS
6.
[ U ] exciting events :
I like films with plenty of action.
New York is where the action is .
EFFECT
7.
[ U ] action of sth (on sth) the effect that one substance or chemical has on another :
the action of sunlight on the skin
OF PART OF THE BODY
8.
[ U , C ] ( technical ) the way a part of the body moves or functions :
a study of the action of the liver
OF MACHINE
9.
[ sing. ] the mechanical parts of a piano, gun, clock, etc. or the way the parts move
—see also pump-action
•
IDIOMS
- actions speak louder than words
- in action
- into action
- out of action
- a piece / slice of the action
—more at evasive , spring verb , swing verb
■ verb
[ vn ] to make sure that sth is done or dealt with :
Your request will be actioned.
••
SYNONYMS
action
move ♦ act ♦ gesture ♦ deed ♦ feat
These are all words for a thing that sb does.
action
a thing that sb does:
Her quick action saved the child's life.
move
(used especially in journalism) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth:
They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
act
a thing that sb does:
an act of kindness
action or act?
These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc. :
a heroic act of bravery
• a heroic action of bravery •
his heroic actions / acts during the war.
Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.
gesture
a thing that you do or say to show a particular feeling or intention:
They sent some flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
deed
( formal literary ) a thing that sb does that is usually very good or very bad:
heroic / evil deeds
feat
( approving ) an action or piece of work that needs skill, strength or courage:
The tunnel is a brilliant feat of engineering.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
a(n) act / gesture / feat of sth
to perform a(n) action / act / deed / feat
to make a move / gesture
a heroic / brave / daring action / move / act / gesture / deed / feat
a kind / charitable / generous action / act / gesture / deed
a(n) evil / terrible action / act / deed
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin actio(n-) , from agere do, act.