activity

noun

ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈti-və-tē 

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

Synonyms

• conditioning
• exercise
• exertion

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

And as a motivator, Postecoglou’s ability to unite his playing group despite outside pressure with stirring pre-match speeches and activities were key to their success just seven months after that World Cup disappointment. —Elias Burke, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Sure, a good routine, a balanced diet, and daily activity are helpful. —Samantha Mims, Essence, 19 May 2025

Your anxiety interferes with your daily life and activities. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025

Large, baseball-sized hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible with this activity. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing activity

• bitten by the (activity) bug
• co-activity
• optical activity
• self-activity

Rhymes for activity

• acclivity
• captivity
• declivity
• festivity
• nativity
• passivity
• proclivity
• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity
• conductivity
• connectivity

Kids Definition

activity

noun

ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

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 

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