Definition of act
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a : the doing of a thing : deed an act of courage
b law : something done voluntarily
2 : the process of doing something : action caught in the act
3 : the formal product of a legislative body : statute an act of Congress also : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice
4 : one of the principal divisions of a theatrical work (such as a play or opera)
a play in three acts
5a : one of successive parts or performances (as in a variety show or circus)
a magic act
b : the performer or performers in such an act
a two-person comedy act
c : a performance or presentation identified with a particular individual or group
They took their act on the road.
d : the sum of a person's actions or effects that serve to create an impression or set an example
a hard act to follow
6 : a display of affected behavior : pretense put on an act that deceived nobody His friendly concern was just an act.
7 often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted
8 : a state of real existence rather than possibility
into the act or in on the act
: into an undertaking or situation as an active participant
saw the success they were having and wanted to get in on the act
act
verbacted; acting; acts
Definition of act (Entry 2 of 5)
1 : to take action : move think before acting acted favorably on the recommendation
2 : to conduct oneself : behave act like a fool
3a : to perform on the stage
began acting at the age of eight
b : to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend seemed angry but was just acting
4 : to perform a specified function : serve trees acting as a windbreak
5 : to produce an effect : work wait for a medicine to act
6 : to give a decision or award
adjourned without acting on the bill
7 of a play : to be capable of being performed
a play that acts well
1a : to represent or perform by action especially on the stage
will act the part of Romeo in tonight's play
c : impersonate
2 : to play the part of as if in a play
act the man of the world
3 : to behave in a manner suitable to
Act your age.
act
abbreviation (1)Definition of act (Entry 3 of 5)
1 active
2 actor
3 actual
ACT
abbreviation (2)Definition of ACT (Entry 4 of 5)
1 Action for Children's Television
2 Association of Classroom Teachers
3 Australian Capital Territory
ACT
trademarkDefinition of ACT (Entry 5 of 5)
—used for a standardized achievement test to evaluate suitability for college admission
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Time Traveler for act
The first known use of act was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century