action
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,094 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 16,755 times across 175,160 chapters — 0.008% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- something done (usually as opposed to something said) there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions
- the state of being active also: activity, activeness his sphere of activityhe is out of action
- a military engagement also: military action he saw action in Korea
- a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings) also: natural process, natural action, activity the action of natural forcesvolcanic activity
- 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
action in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
-
Brown was decisive and silent in action.
The Club of Queer Trades · G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton · Chapter 1
-
And, in fact, the rapid action of the troops alone saved Paris from destruction.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
-
With this explanatory narrative we must begin, before coming to the regular action of the poem.
The Odyssey of Homer · 751? BCE-651? BCE Homer · Chapter 1
-
Mr. Seward even went so far as to draw up a plan of action, which he submitted to his chief.
Lincoln's Inaugurals, Addresses and Letters · Abraham Lincoln · Chapter 1
-
It was a barren mound of stone, worn into gullies and sharp precipices by the action of the waves and rain.
The Land of the Changing Sun · Will N. (Will Nathaniel) Harben · Chapter 1