actionac·tion /ˈækʃən/ noun1[countableC, uncountableU] when someone does something in order to deal with a problem or difficult situationThe government’s action was prompted by shortages of foreign exchange.
We must take action to make our shares accessible to a broader segment of the investing public.
→ see also right of action → affirmative action → direct action → industrial action → job action → secondary action → strike action2[uncountableU] when important things happen, for example when there is a lot of buying or selling or prices rise or fallThe tax cut was intended to restore some market action in the banking and real-estate sectors.
3[countableC, uncountableU]LAW the process of taking a case or a claim against someone to a court of lawThey began an action to repossess the house.
When the loan was not repaid, he threatened legal action.
They will bring an action against him if he does not repay the loan.
→ class action → frivolous action → personal action