1. Something done (usually as opposed to something said)
   "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
    
2. (military) a military engagement
   "he saw action in Korea";
   - military action
    
3. A process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
   "the action of natural forces"; "Erosion is a natural action that shapes landscapes over time";
   - natural process, natural action, activity
    
4. The state of being active
   "he is out of action";
   - activity, activeness
    
5. The most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field
   "the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds"; "gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible"
    
6. (law) a judicial proceeding brought by one party against another; one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong
   "The company faced a legal action from its former employees";
   - legal action, action at law
    
7. An act by a government body or supranational organization
   "the Union action of emancipating Southern slaves"; "recent federal action undermined the segregationist position"; "the United Nations must have the power to propose and organize action without being hobbled by irrelevant issues"
    
8. The series of events that form a plot
   "his novels always have a lot of action"
    
9. The trait of being active and energetic and forceful
   "a man of action"
    
10. The operating part that transmits power to a mechanism
    "the piano had a very stiff action";
    - action mechanism
     
11. In firearms terminology, the mechanism that handles the ammunition (loads, locks, fires, and extracts the cartridges)
    "Actions can be categorized in several ways, including single action versus double action, break action versus bolt action, and others"

1. Cause to happen; complete successfully
   "He actioned the operation";
   - carry through, accomplish, execute, carry out, fulfill [N. Amer], fulfil [Brit, Cdn]
    
2. Institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
   "She actioned the company for discrimination";
   - sue, litigate, process

Derived forms: actioned, actioning, actions

See also: active

Type of: act, challenge, complete, deed, drive, effect, effectuate, finish, group action, human action, human activity, legal proceeding, mechanism, physical process, plot, proceeding, proceedings, process, set up, state, work

Antonym: inaction

Part of: gun, keyboard

Encyclopedia: Action