Meaning of “action” in the English Dictionary

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"action" in English

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actionnoun

uk ​ /ˈæk.ʃən/ us ​ /ˈæk.ʃən/

action noun (DOING SOMETHING)

B2 [ U ] the process of doing something, especially when dealing with a problem or difficulty:

This problem calls for swift/prompt action from the government.
[ + to infinitive ] Action to prevent the spread of the disease is high on the government's agenda.
We must take action (= do something) to deal with the problem before it spreads to other areas.
So what's the plan of action? (= What are we going to do?)
The complaints system swings into action (= starts to work) as soon as a claim is made.
The committee was spurred into action (= encouraged to do something) by the threat of government cuts.

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action noun (SOMETHING DONE)

B2 [ C ] something that you do:

She has to accept the consequences of her actions.
I asked him to explain his actions.

C2 [ C ] a physical movement:

I'll say the words and you can mime the actions.
It only needs a small wrist action (= movement of the wrist) to start the process.

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action noun (ACTIVITY)

B1 [ U ] things that are happening, especially exciting or important things:

I like movies with a lot of action.
In her last novel, the action (= the main events) moves between Greece and southern Spain.
where the action is

› at the place where something important or interesting is happening:

A journalist has to be where the action is.

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action noun (EFFECT)

› [ S ] the effect something has on another thing:

They recorded the action of the drug on the nervous system.

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action noun (WAY THING WORKS)

C2 [ U or C ] the way something moves or works:

We studied the action of the digestive system.
The car has a very smooth braking action.

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Idiom(s)

actions speak louder than words
out of action
a man of action
a piece/slice of the action

actionverb [ T usually passive ]

uk ​ /ˈæk.ʃən/ us ​ /ˈæk.ʃən/

(Definition of “action” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"action" in American English

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actionnoun [ C/U ]

us ​ /ˈæk·ʃən/

action noun [ C/U ] (SOMETHING DONE)

› the process of doing something, or something done, esp. for a particular purpose:

[ U ] Quick action in calling the fire department saved many lives.
[ C ] It was a reckless action which he later came to regret.
[ + to infinitive ] We want a leader who will take action to fix our problems.
[ U ] Financial advisers urged the city to take action (= do something) to deal with the fiscal crisis.

› Action is also fighting in a war:

[ U ] Her younger son was killed in action.

› In an action film/movie, there is usually a lot of violence and many exciting things happen.

action noun [ C/U ] (MOVEMENT)

› the way something moves or works, or the effect it has on something else:

[ C ] The heart’s action in regulating blood flow is critically important.

action noun [ C/U ] (LEGAL PROCESS)

› law a process in a court of law to correct a wrong by which a person or group claims to have been hurt:

[ C ] She brought an action against the hospital for negligence.

Idiom(s)

actions speak louder than words

(Definition of “action” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"action" in Business English

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actionnoun

uk ​ /ˈækʃən/ us ​

› [ U ] the process of doing something, especially in order to deal with a problem or difficult situation:

take action (to do sth) The report urged industrialised nations to take further action to cut their budget deficits.
action on sth Campaigners say more action is needed on climate change.
call/press for action Unions are pressing for action on the pay dispute.
decisive/drastic/prompt action
The committee was spurred into action by the threat of government cuts.
You need to clearly outline a specific course of action in your business plan.

› [ C ] something that you do, especially in order to deal with a problem or difficult situation:

Industry analysts said the company's actions cannot control market prices.
He said that employees must be held accountable for their actions.

› [ U ] STOCK MARKET, FINANCE important things that are happening in a market, etc.:

Fund managers let themselves be carried away by the favorable market action of the shares.

› [ C or U ] LAW a legal process that is decided in a court of law:

civil/court/legal action He threatened legal action to recover the property.
bring an action against sb/sth The purchaser could have brought an action against the vendor under section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act.
put sth into action

› to begin working to make an idea or a plan happen or be successful:

We need to put these plans into action in measurable ways, so that employees regain a sense of control over their lives.
an action plan/a plan of action

› a way of dealing with a problem or difficult situation, or achieving something:

The Board will devise an action plan to address the problems at the plant.
a piece/slice of the action informal

› involvement in something successful that someone else has started:

It's one thing to be a staff attorney and quite another to be an equity partner getting a piece of the action.

See also

affirmative action
class action
direct action
disciplinary action
group action
industrial action
job action
personal action
primary action
right of action
secondary action
strike action

actionverb [ T, usually passive ]

uk ​ /ˈækʃən/ us ​

› to do something to deal with a particular task, problem, or plan:

Some of the conclusions and recommendations of the report can be actioned straight away.

(Definition of “action” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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