Dictionary definition · effect
noun
- a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon"the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"
- an outward appearance"he made a good impression"
- an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived)"he just did it for effect"
- the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
- (of a law) having legal validity"the law is still in effect"
- a symptom caused by an illness or a drug"the effects of sleep loss"
verb
- produce"The scientists set up a shock wave"
- act so as to bring into existence"effect a change"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).