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
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.
The AI eyewear will use Google’s Gemini AI and Android’s extended reality system for real-time assistance and app interaction.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
She also earned course credit for her interaction with fellow students enrolled through the university’s Prison Graduation Initiative.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
"We applied a new method to calculate this discrepancy quantity, and we showed that it's not there. This new interaction we hoped for simply is not there. The old interactions can explain the value completely."
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
A retirement business offers entrepreneurs control, educational benefits and social interaction.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
Initial results showed a few key raised “islands” in control of a vast network of communication and interaction covering 200 square miles, as large as many early states.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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.
