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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
"We are likely to see marine heatwave conditions becoming average towards the middle-to-end of the century," warned Dr Ségolène Berthou, air-sea interaction specialist at the UK Met Office.
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
Their next goal is to develop ways to selectively target the interaction between p38 MAP kinase and LaminB1 in humans.
From Science Daily • Jul. 5, 2026
The Commerce Department spokesperson denied that the interaction took place.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
Unified has been cooperating with the federal law-enforcement inquiry, managing the interaction with the assistance of the outside law firm Jones Day, sources said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2026
I replayed every interaction in my head, analyzing them from all angles.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
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.
