interaction
Americannoun
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reciprocal action, effect, or influence.
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Physics.
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the direct effect that one kind of particle has on another, in particular, in inducing the emission or absorption of one particle by another.
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the mathematical expression that specifies the nature and strength of this effect.
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noun
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a mutual or reciprocal action or influence
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physics the transfer of energy between elementary particles, between a particle and a field, or between fields See strong interaction electromagnetic interaction fundamental interaction gravitational interaction weak interaction electroweak interaction
Other Word Forms
- interactional adjective
Etymology
Origin of interaction
Explanation
If you interact with someone — by talking, looking, sharing, or engaging in any kind of action that involves the two of you — you can be said to have had an interaction with that person. Interaction comes from Latin inter meaning "between," and ago meaning "to do" or "to act" — any “action between” is considered an interaction, like the interaction between a teacher and a student, two countries, or even baking soda and vinegar (boom!).
Vocabulary lists containing interaction
Power Prefix: inter-
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Common Core Grade 6, List 1
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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He compares the interaction to cleaner fish in the ocean that remove parasites and dead skin from larger fish, sometimes even from predators.
From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026
Vrabel said in the same article: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
They said student interaction, social skills and behaviour had improved, while several mentioned dealing with fewer social media bullying incidents.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
The idea that meaningful and attentive engagement could come from averting your gaze may seem counterintuitive, but it translates to other basic forms of human interaction.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
It was the clumsiest production of physical interaction; the whole thing lasted no more than several seconds.
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
