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

The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024

General tariffs on foreign goods and materials as well as mass deportations could result in higher construction costs and slower home-building activity. —Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 8 Dec. 2024

Kids receive a Young Explorers pack, including an activity book and a safari journal, and guides modify game drives to accommodate their interests and attention spans. —Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024

Beyond that, the plane is installing mood lighting that coincides with cabin activity. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2024

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

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