action

A noun referring to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a result; it can also denote a legal proceeding, a military engagement, or the series of events in a story.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее процесс выполнения чего-либо, особенно для достижения определённого результата, или само совершённое действие.esSustantivo que denota el proceso de hacer algo, especialmente para lograr un resultado determinado, o la propia cosa hecha; también puede referirse a una medida o hecho realizado.frNom désignant le fait d'agir ou de faire quelque chose, en particulier pour obtenir un résultat précis, ou bien le résultat de cette activité. Peut aussi renvoyer à une opération, une démarche ou une étape dans un processus.deSubstantiv, das den Vorgang des Handelns oder Tuns bezeichnet, besonders um ein bestimmtes Ergebnis zu erzielen, oder die ausgeführte Handlung selbst.ptSubstantivo que designa o processo de fazer algo, especialmente para alcançar um resultado, ou o próprio ato realizado.zh名词，指做某事的过程或行为，尤指为达到某种结果而采取的行动；也指已经做出的具体举动。arاسم يدل على عملية القيام بشيء ما، خاصة لتحقيق نتيجة معينة، أو على الفعل نفسه الذي تم إنجازه.

1. Process of doing something A2 formal

   The process of doing something, especially to achieve a result.

   • We need to take action to solve this problem.
   • The government announced new actions to protect the environment.
   • Immediate action is required to prevent disaster.

   ruДействиеesAcción (proceso de hacer algo)fraction (fait d'agir)deHandlungptAçãozh行动arفعل

   Synonyms: actactivitydeedendeavorexecutionexertionoperationperformancework

   Antonyms: idlenessinactioninactivitypassivityreststagnation

2. State of being active B1 formal

   The process or condition of doing something; activity.

   • The machine is now in action.
   • We need to put our plan into action.
   • The team swung into action immediately.

   ruДействиеesAcción (estado de actividad)frÉtat d'être actifdeHandlungptAçãozh行动arفعل

   Synonyms: activityenergyexertionfunctioninglivelinessmotionmovementoperationworking

   Antonyms: inactioninactivitypassivity

3. Legal proceeding C1 formal legal

   A legal process to enforce or protect rights.

   • The company filed an action against its competitor.
   • He brought a civil action for damages.
   • The court dismissed the action due to lack of evidence.

   ruСудебный процессesAcción judicialfrAction en justicedeGerichtsverfahrenptAção judicialzh诉讼arدعوى قضائية

   Synonyms: casecauselawsuitlitigationproceedingsuit

4. Natural process B2 formal scientific

   A process occurring in nature, not caused by humans.

   • The action of the wind eroded the rocks.
   • Chemical action caused the metal to rust.
   • The action of the waves shaped the coastline.

   ruПриродный процессesproceso naturalfrprocessus natureldeNatürlicher VorgangptProcesso naturalzh自然过程arعملية طبيعية

   Synonyms: activityfunctioningoperationprocessworking

5. Plot of a story B1 formal art

   The sequence of events that form the narrative of a story, play, or film.

   • The action of the novel takes place in Paris.
   • The film's action was slow to develop.
   • The play has a complex action involving many characters.

   ruСюжетesArgumentofrIntrigue d'une histoiredeHandlungptAçãozh情节arحبكة

   Synonyms: narrativeplotscenariostorystoryline

6. Energetic trait B2 formal

   The quality of being active, energetic, and forceful.

   • She is a woman of action.
   • He prefers action over endless discussion.
   • The company needs more action-oriented leaders.

   ruЭнергичностьesenergía, dinamismofrCaractère énergiquedeTatkraftptEnergiazh行动力arالحيوية والنشاط

   Synonyms: activitydrivedynamismenergyenterpriseforcefulnessget-up-and-goinitiativevigor

   Antonyms: idlenessinactivityinertnesslethargypassivity

7. Mechanical part C1 formal technical

   The part of a mechanism that transmits power or motion.

   • The action of the piano needs adjustment.
   • The gun's action jammed during the test.
   • The clock's action is driven by a spring.

   ruМеханизмesMecanismo de transmisiónfrMécanisme de transmissiondeMechanikptMecanismozh机构arآلية

   Synonyms: machinerymechanismmovement

8. Legal proceeding B2 formal legal

   A lawsuit or formal legal process brought by one party against another.

   • She filed an action for breach of contract.
   • The court dismissed the action due to lack of evidence.
   • Legal action was taken against the company.

   ruСудебный искesAcción legalfraction en justicedeKlageptAção judicialzh诉讼arدعوى قضائية

   Synonyms: casecauselawsuitlitigationproceedingsuit

9. Government act B2 formal political

   An official decision or measure taken by a government or organization.

   • The UN called for collective action on climate change.
   • The government's action was widely criticized.
   • The committee approved the action plan.

   ruДействиеesacto gubernamentalfrActe administratifdeMaßnahme der RegierungptAto do governozh行动arإجراء حكومي

   Synonyms: actdecreedirectiveedictinitiativemeasureorderstep

10. Important activity B2 informal

    The most interesting or significant work or activity in a particular field.

    • Where's the action in this town?
    • He wants to be where the action is.
    • The tech industry is where the action is right now.

    ruЦентр событийesactividad importantefrActivité importantedewichtigste AktivitätptCentro das atençõeszh重头戏arمحور الأحداث

    Synonyms: activitybuzzdoingsexcitementliveliness

• actions plural form
• actions' possessive plural form
• action's possessive singular form

A noun referring to the process of doing something, typically to achieve a goal; not a verb.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее процесс выполнения чего-либо, обычно для достижения цели; не является глаголом.esSustantivo que denota el proceso de hacer algo, generalmente para lograr un objetivo; no es un verbo. También puede referirse a una medida o iniciativa tomada, o a un acto concreto.frNom désignant le processus de faire quelque chose, généralement pour atteindre un but ; ce n'est pas un verbe.deSubstantiv, das den Vorgang des Handelns oder Tuns bezeichnet, oft zur Erreichung eines Ziels; es ist kein Verb.ptSubstantivo que designa o processo de fazer algo, geralmente para atingir um objetivo; em inglês, embora tenha forma semelhante a um verbo, seu uso principal é como substantivo.zh名词，指为达到某种目的而进行的活动或行为；也可指作用、影响或效果。arاسم يدل على عملية القيام بشيء ما أو تنفيذه، وغالبًا ما يكون ذلك لتحقيق هدف؛ وليس فعلًا.

1. To take legal action B2 formal legal

   To institute legal proceedings against someone; to file a lawsuit.

   • The company decided to action the contract breach in court.
   • They will action the claim against the landlord.
   • The board voted to action the lawsuit immediately.

   ruПодать искesDemandar judicialmentefrEngager une action en justicedeKlage erhebenptEntrar com ação judicialzh提起诉讼arرفع دعوى قضائية

   Synonyms: litigateprosecutesue

2. To carry out or implement B2 formal business

   To put into effect; to perform or execute a plan or task.

   • The manager will action the new policy next week.
   • We need to action the recommendations from the report.
   • The team is ready to action the project plan.

   ruВыполнитьesEjecutar o llevar a cabofrmettre à exécutiondeAusführenptExecutarzh执行arتنفيذ

   Synonyms: carry outdischargedoeffectuateenactexecuteimplementperformrealize

   Antonyms: ignoreneglectomitoverlookskip

• actioned past participle
• actioned past simple
• actioning present participle
• actions third person singular