activity

noun

ac·tiv·i·ty | \ak-ˈti-və-tē

plural activities

Definition of activity

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 as

a : a process (such as digestion) that an organism carries on or participates in by virtue of being alive

b : 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 activities

b : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about activity

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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 on the Web

Her favorite activity is coloring, as well as building with blocks and playing with dolls. — BostonGlobe.com, "Jonathan and Violette both love playing outside," 14 July 2018 Players must also be mindful of their off-field activities. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Could Gareon Conley Legally Prove That Rape Allegation Caused Draft Slide, Financial Harm?," 12 July 2018 The line between Giuliani’s work as the president’s lawyer and his other activities for his client is murky. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Rudy Giuliani has a conflict of interest problem.," 10 July 2018 Their activities, including some arrests and litigation, have been chronicled in San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Galveston, Austin, Round Rock, Dallas, Bridgeport and Decatur, among others locales. — Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, "Courting arrest for online clicks and the First Amendment," 9 July 2018 The allegations raised about him aren't limited to his activities on campus. — CBS News, "Ohio State doctor who killed himself accused of decades-long sexual misconduct," 6 July 2018 Her school activities included playing on Cathedral Catholic’s tennis, golf, badminton and track teams. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Pomerado News, "Poway Girl Scout helps orphans, earns Gold Award," 6 July 2018 After the communist takeover of the country in 1948, club members once again had to throttle back their activities and meet clandestinely. — Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Castles and bikes: Harley riders from around the world roll into Prague," 5 July 2018 The Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE has been given temporary permission to resume some of its business activities in the U.S., according to a Bloomberg report. — David Meyer, Fortune, "China's ZTE Is Working Again in the U.S. Just as American Lawmakers Push for Heavier Sanctions on the Telecom Giant," 4 July 2018

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.

History and Etymology for activity

Middle English actyvete "active life," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French activité "power of acting, exercise of this power," borrowed from Medieval Latin āctīvitāt-, āctīvitās (Late Latin, "active form of a verb"), from Latin āctīvus active entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

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Dictionary Entries near activity

activity group psychotherapy

Phrases Related to activity

bitten by the (activity) bug

Statistics for activity

Last Updated

23 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for activity

The first known use of activity was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for activity

activity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of activity

: 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

See the full definition for activity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

activity

noun

ac·tiv·i·ty | \ak-ˈti-və-tē

plural activities

Kids Definition of activity

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.

activity

noun

ac·tiv·i·ty | \ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē

plural activities

Medical Definition of activity

1 : natural or normal function: as

a : a process (as digestion) that an organism carries on or participates in by virtue of being alive

b : 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