action

Dictionary definition · action

something done (usually as opposed to something said)"there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
the state of being active"his sphere of activity"
a military engagement"he saw action in Korea"
a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)"the action of natural forces"
the series of events that form a plot"his novels always have a lot of action"
the trait of being active and energetic and forceful"a man of action"
the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism"the piano had a very stiff action"
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
an act by a government body or supranational organization"recent federal action undermined the segregationist position"
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"

institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against"He was warned that the district attorney would process him"
put in effect"carry out a task"

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).