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

Tickets are available online and at the gate, with gates opening at 5:30 for pregame activities. — Cheryl Wray, al, "Legion FC faces crucial game at home Friday vs. Saint Louis FC," 12 Sep. 2019 Ring Fit Adventure is a nice option for those who want a game that allows for physical activity. — Lisa Marie Segarra, Fortune, "Nintendo Unveils New Fitness Game: ‘Ring Fit Adventure.’ Here’s What It’s Like," 12 Sep. 2019 The incumbent president is not expected to accept invitations for traditional primary activities, such as debates. — CBS News, "Iowa and New Hampshire won't cancel 2020 GOP primaries," 11 Sep. 2019 How the exercise dress performs Like any piece of activewear, this dress is better suited for some activities than others. — Noelle Ike, CNN Underscored, "This exercise dress from Outdoor Voices is equal parts practical and flattering," 9 Sep. 2019 For those unfamiliar with their signature sets, the Rec Kit comes in a textured compression fabric, which is recommended for low-to-medium intensity activities. — Talia Abbas, SELF, "Minimalists Rejoice—Outdoor Voices Just Launched Two of Its Signature Kits in All-Black," 6 Sep. 2019 Birds already have a better heart and lungs than mammals for sustained physical activity. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "This bird really can fly over Mount Everest, wind tunnel experiments reveal," 3 Sep. 2019 So The Courant asked The Warren Group to crunch numbers for towns and cities to assemble a top 10 list for the most robust sales activity measured by percentage gains. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "At the close of a sluggish home sale season, here are the 10 towns where real estate is hot in Connecticut," 3 Sep. 2019 Another hurdle is reduced funding for enforcement activities. — Maura C. Allaire, The Conversation, "How to address America’s lead crisis and provide safe drinking water for all," 3 Sep. 2019

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

Statistics for activity

Last Updated

9 Oct 2019

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