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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for activity

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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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