Definition of activity
activities
1 : the quality or state of being active : behavior or actions of a particular kind physical activity criminal activity economic activity
2 : vigorous or energetic action : liveliness a scene of excitement and activity
3 : natural or normal function: such asa : a process (such as digestion) that an organism carries on or participates in by virtue of being aliveb : a similar process actually or potentially involving mental function; specifically : an educational procedure designed to stimulate learning by firsthand experience
4 : an active force
5a : a pursuit in which a person is active business activities social activitiesb : a form of organized, supervised, often extracurricular recreation The camp offers hiking, swimming, and other activities.
6 : an organizational unit for performing a specific function; also : its function or duties the restaurant inspection activity of the health department
Explore M-W
Examples of activity in a Sentence
The holidays always set off a lot of activity in our home.
the sexual activity of married couples
The police are now monitoring criminal activity in the area.
She gets at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
The instruments are used to detect volcanic activity on the island.
We planned an activity for the children.
Recent Examples of activity from the Web
-
The group caters to people 50 and older, providing classes and activities to get the mind and body stimulated.
-
Sorticulture Garden Art Show PLAN AHEAD Garden art and plant sale, display garden, entertainment, kids’ activities, food vendors, wine garden, June 9-11, Legion Park, Everett (everettwa.gov/823/Sorticulture-Garden-Arts-Festival).
-
Those are some of the activities planned for kids ages 12 and under with an adult at Kids Nature Funfest, 2-5 p.m. June 4 at Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago.
-
Wenger will retain final say on all transfer activity.
-
There is a full slate of activities related to the Indy 500.
-
Technology is supposed to enable its staff to locate militant activity online, anywhere in the world, within seconds.
-
Arizona’s Blue Lives Matter Law expands the crime of aggravated assault against on-duty officers to apply to off-duty officers not engaged in police activities.
-
Like the name suggests, the Forerunner tracks not only runs but also bike rides, swims, and other athletic activities.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'activity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of activity
see active
First Known Use: 15th century
ACTIVITY Defined for English Language Learners
activity
playDefinition of activity for English Language Learners
-
: the state of being active : behavior or actions of a particular kind
-
: something that is done as work or for a particular purpose
-
: something that is done for pleasure and that usually involves a group of people
ACTIVITY Defined for Kids
activity
playDefinition of activity for Students
activities
1 : energetic action There is always activity around the holidays.
2 : something done especially for relaxation or fun Summer camp provides a variety of activities for kids.
Medical Dictionary
activity
playMedical Definition of activity
activities
1: natural or normal function: asa: a process (as digestion) that an organism carries on or participates in by virtue of being aliveb: a similar process actually or potentially involving mental function; specifically : an educational procedure designed to stimulate learning by firsthand experience
2: the characteristic of acting chemically or of promoting a chemical reaction the activity of a catalyst
Learn More about activity
-
See words that rhyme with activity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for activity Spanish Central: Translation of activity Nglish: Translation of activity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of activity for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about activity
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up activity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!