interaction

noun

in·​ter·​ac·​tion ˌin-tər-ˈak-shən 

: mutual or reciprocal action or influence

interactional

ˌin-tər-ˈak-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of interaction

• relation
• intercourse
• dealings

Examples of interaction in a Sentence

she guessed from the friendly interaction that they were close to the other parents in the organization

Recent Examples on the Web

Though widely acclaimed as a sculptor, Noguchi spent five decades working to pull sculpture off its proverbial pedestal, insisting that it be lived in—embedded in plazas, parks, and playgrounds as sites of civic interaction. —Terry Nguyen, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026

The compromise for an autopoietic system is to regulate its interactions with the environment depending on its internal needs and external conditions. —Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026

After an interaction with the LAPD, Steinberg has suspended activities for his Save the Cinerama Dome campaign. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

The brilliance of Bunin’s play is that so little of it is rooted in actual interactions. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interaction

• benefaction
• counteraction
• liquefaction
• putrefaction
• rarefaction
• satisfaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction

Kids Definition

interaction

noun

in·​ter·​ac·​tion ˌint-ə-ˈrak-shən 

: the action or influence of people, groups, or things on one another

interactional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

interaction

noun

in·​ter·​ac·​tion ˌint-ə-ˈrak-shən 

: mutual or reciprocal action or influence

interaction of the heart and lungs

interactional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective