activity

noun

ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce activity (audio)
plural 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 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
5
a
: 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

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 The University of Maryland has lifted a two-week ban on events with alcohol and socializing with recruits at several dozen fraternities and sororities, saying its investigation into reports of dangerous activity was complete. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 As for the building, Spittle said it will be sold once all closure activities are completed. Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 State records show its most recent state audit noted North College Hill did not have procedures in place for effective monitoring of the city’s financial activity or the accuracy of accounting and financial reporting. Jennifer Edwards Baker, The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2024 This effort can be a countercultural activity in a time when demagogues pray on people’s fears and divide the country into warring tribes. Lachlan Cartwright, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 The water’s edge quickly became a hive of activity as players, caddies, camera crew and a rules official swarmed the area where McIlroy subsequently made his one-shot penalty drop. Jack Bantock, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The site goes deep into Arizona’s backcountry, offering evidence of the daily life activities of the Apache community that originally inhabited the area and the decades of battles with the U.S. military forces. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 The area suffered in the 1960s but began seeing a pickup of activity in the early 2000s. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 This work is performed through advocacy, programs, projects, activities, services and facilities. Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'activity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near activity

Cite this Entry

“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

activity

noun
ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce activity (audio)
plural activities
1
: the quality or state of being active
2
: forceful or energetic action
3
: a natural, normal, or assigned function: as
a
: a process that an organism carries on or participates in by virtue of being alive
b
: a similar process that involves or is capable of involving mental function
4
: an educational exercise designed to teach by firsthand experience
5
: an active force
solar activity
6
a
: something done especially for relaxation or fun
b
: a form of organized recreation

Medical Definition

activity

noun
ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce activity (audio)
plural activities
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

More from Merriam-Webster on activity

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