activity

noun

ac·​tiv·​i·​ty ak-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce activity (audio)
plural activities
Synonyms of activitynext
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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
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.
Phishing scams often trick victims into revealing sensitive information through fake emails or websites, while data breaches expose vast amounts of personal data that criminals can exploit for fraudulent activities. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025 This cohort makes for a super sweet gift (easter basket toppers, anyone?), or, as a does-it-all activity for a DIY spa night with the besties. — Annie Blackman, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025 The attorneys also debated what cell phone activity from Mortensen and the other surviving roommate, Bethany Funke, in the hours around the murders should come in at trial. — Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025 The festival features cultural demonstrations, exhibits and live musical performances, including one of taiko drumming; interactive workshops, lectures and traditional Japanese activities; and an anime cosplay contest. — Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 9 Apr. 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

Phrases Containing activity

Rhymes for activity

See All Rhymes for activity

Browse Nearby Words

activist
activity
activity cage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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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

Nglish: Translation of activity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about activity

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