activity
noun
ac·tiv·i·ty
ak-ˈti-və-tē 
plural activities
1
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
The survey included questions about food quality, care respectfulness, safety, transportation, enrichment activities and more.
—
Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
The festival’s first day is dedicated to wellness and arts, with activities like yoga, dance, and soundbaths.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for activity 
Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
The festival’s first day is dedicated to wellness and arts, with activities like yoga, dance, and soundbaths.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for activity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'activity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near activity
Cite this Entry
“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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