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1. Something done (usually as opposed to something said)
   "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
    
2. The state of being active
   "he is out of action"
   - activity, activeness
    
3. A military engagement
   "he saw action in Korea"
   - military action
    
4. A process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
   "the action of natural forces"
   - natural process, natural action, activity
    
5. The series of events that form a plot
   "his novels always have a lot of action"
    
6. The trait of being active and energetic and forceful
   "a man of action"
    
7. The operating part that transmits power to a mechanism
   "the piano had a very stiff action"
   - action mechanism
    
8. 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
   - legal action, action at law
    
9. An act by a government body or supranational organization
   "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"; "the Union action of emancipating Southern slaves"
    
10. 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"

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

Derived forms: actions, actioned, actioning

See also: act, actionable, 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