activity

noun

ac·tiv·i·ty | \ ak-ˈti-və-tē

plural activities

Essential Meaning of activity

1 : the state of being active The holidays always set off a lot of activity in our home. : behavior or actions of a particular kind the sexual activity of married couples The police are now monitoring criminal/gang/drug activity in the area. See More ExamplesThere has been an increase in the city's (level of) economic activity. She gets at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. The instruments are used to detect volcanic activity on the island.Hide

2 : something that is done as work or for a particular purpose

3 : something that is done for pleasure and that usually involves a group of people We planned an activity for the children.

Full 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 Over the course of the pandemic, banks suffered from a dearth of lending activity. — Declan Harty, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2021 Major communications firms have been a hotbed of deal activity, attracting investments that can help fund their expansion. — Cara Lombardo, WSJ, 13 Oct. 2021 The trip is perfectly suited to travelers who are ready to get out and explore, but don't want the stress of booking every detail or committing to a ton of physical activity. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Oct. 2021 After five to 10 years, the odds of criminal activity are the same as for anyone else. — Karen Kaplan Science And Medicine Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2021 This kind of easy activity sparks curiosity, which helps greatly with metacognitive reflection. — Ellevate, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2021 The previous administration of President Eric Dunn has made a deal that Adams sees as effectively giving the country back to the Taliban and raising the risk of terrorist activity. — Gabriela Miranda, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2021 The weather forecasting service also said that minor geomagnetic storms may continue Tuesday, before a fast wind from a coronal hole may arrive, continuing a rather active period of geomagnetic activity. — Katie Hunt, CNN, 12 Oct. 2021 Aerobic exercise, such as walking or riding a bike, strength training, and generally adding in small bouts of activity throughout the day are all good options. — Sarah Bradley, Health.com, 11 Oct. 2021

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

activist

activity

activity cage

Statistics for activity

Last Updated

17 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 26 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for activity

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