activity

noun

ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce activity (audio)
plural activities
Synonyms 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
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 of 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
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.
For guests staying longer, the hotel can arrange activities including truffle hunts, seasonal wine harvest experiences, and tours of nearby towns and historical sites. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 Saks’ holiday campaign also will support Make-a-Wish through fundraising activity. — David Moin, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 One such diagram was shared on X by European Parliament member Tomáš Zdechovský, who claimed that online activity around the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party plummeted following the Russian data center attacks. — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026 In some instances, student radicalism spilled over into yakuza activities. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing activity

Rhymes for activity

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Browse Nearby Words

activist
activity
activity cage
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Cite this Entry

“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about activity

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