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
Pros Affordable rates Coverage can be extended mid-trip Covers 200+ adventure activities like scuba diving and bungee jumping
Cons
Lower trip cancellation limits than other companies
CFAR add-on must be bought within seven days of booking
Only issues policies to travelers 69 and younger.
—
Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 June 2025
Examples include pedometers, activity trackers, glucose monitors, and blood pressure monitors.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 31 May 2025
Events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections contribute to northern lights activity, which occurs when electrons collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere and produce energy in the form of light.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
After hiking in nearby Beacon Rock State Park or trying onsite activities like golf, the spa awaits with restorative massages or hot tub soaks before dinner.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for activity
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.
Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 June 2025
Examples include pedometers, activity trackers, glucose monitors, and blood pressure monitors.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 31 May 2025
Events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections contribute to northern lights activity, which occurs when electrons collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere and produce energy in the form of light.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
After hiking in nearby Beacon Rock State Park or trying onsite activities like golf, the spa awaits with restorative massages or hot tub soaks before dinner.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for activity
Cite this Entry
“Activity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activity. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share