Definition of act
1a : the doing of a thing : deed an act of courageb 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 actb : the performer or performers in such an act a two-person comedy actc : 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
orin on the act
From the M-W Editors
Examples of act in a Sentence
We were grateful for her many acts of kindness.
the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Please read act II, scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
In the first act, two characters are talking in a restaurant.
Origin and Etymology of act
Middle English, partly from Latin actus doing, act, from agere to drive, do; partly from Latin actum thing done, record, from neuter of actus, past participle of agere — more at agent
First Known Use: 14th century
act
Definition of act
intransitive verb
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 eightb : 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
transitive verb
1a : to represent or perform by action especially on the stage will act the part of Romeo in tonight's playb : feign, simulate act indifferencec : impersonate
Examples of act in a Sentence
He knew he had to act quickly.
The government was slow to act.
She acted on behalf of her father, who was not at the meeting.
I believe that the killer acted alone.
She had acted in self-defense when she killed her attacker.
We were acting in the best interests of our children.
We must act soon to end this crisis.
She learned at an early age how to act properly in social situations.
People are always telling me how I should act and what I should say.
I noticed that the dog was acting funny this morning.
Origin and Etymology of act
see 1act
First Known Use: 1590
act
Definition of act
1 active
2 actor
3 actual
Other Performing Arts Terms
ACT
Definition of ACT
1 Action for Children's Television
2 Association of Classroom Teachers
3 Australian Capital Territory
Other Education Terms
ACT
Definition of ACT
—used for a standardized achievement test to evaluate suitability for college admission
Other Education Terms
ACT Defined for English Language Learners
act
playDefinition of act for English Language Learners
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: something that is done
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: a law made by a group of legislators
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: one of the main divisions of a play or opera
act
Definition of act for English Language Learners
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: to do something : to take action
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: to behave in a particular way
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: to behave in a way that is not sincere or honest
ACT Defined for Kids
Definition of act for Students
acted
;acting
1 : to do something : move It's important to act quickly in an emergency.
2 : to behave oneself in a certain way He's been acting strangely.
3 : to perform as a character in a play Both stars agreed to act in the movie.
4 : to perform a certain function She'll act as our guide.
5 : to have a result : make something happen : work The medicine acts on the heart.
act up
: to behave badly
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of act
1: a motor performance leading to a definite result
2: a dealing with objects (as by moving, perceiving, or desiring them)
act
Medical Definition of act
1: to perform an act : behave
2: to produce an effect wait for a medicine to act
act
Medical Definition of act
active
Law Dictionary
act
Legal Definition of act
1a : something done by a person in accordance with his or her free will a tortious act — see also actus reus b : the failure to do something that one has a legal duty to do —called also negative act
2a often capitalized : the formal product of a legislative body : the formally declared will of a legislature the final requirement of which is usually the signature of the proper executive officer : statute an act of Congress in furtherance of the purposes…of that act — U.S. Code b : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice — compare bill 1
3 often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted given as my free act and deed
act
Legal Definition of act
1 : to carry into effect a determination of the will : take action
2 : to discharge the duties of a specified office or post : perform a specified function —used with a prepositional phrase declaring what officer shall then act as President — U.S. Constitution art. II
3 : to give a decision or award (as by vote of a deliberative body or by judicial decree) —often used with on adjourned with several important matters still not acted on
Learn More about act
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See words that rhyme with act Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for act Spanish Central: Translation of act Nglish: Translation of act for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of act for Arabic speakers
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