interaction

American  

[in-ter-ak-shuhn] / ˌɪn tərˈæk ʃən /

noun

1. reciprocal action, effect, or influence.

2. Physics.

   1. the direct effect that one kind of particle has on another, in particular, in inducing the emission or absorption of one particle by another.

   2. the mathematical expression that specifies the nature and strength of this effect.

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interaction British  

/ ˌɪntərˈækʃən /

noun

1. a mutual or reciprocal action or influence

2. 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

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Other Word Forms

• interactional adjective

Etymology

Origin of interaction

First recorded in 1825–35; inter- + action

Example Sentences

The more children seek social stimulation online, the less actual interaction they have with friends in person.

From The Wall Street Journal

The convicted man took the case to the Supreme Court, arguing that there had been no violence or intimidation in his interaction with the woman.

From BBC

Stratford uses a haunting metaphor for this moment, comparing the current interaction between the two nations to “traveling together through a long, dark tunnel.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The needs of those systems call for more computing power, networking, storage activity, “and far greater infrastructure intensity than a standard question-and-answer interaction,” he wrote.

From Barron's

They also aim to better understand the mechanisms behind these interactions and whether other factors play a role.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• communication
• cooperation
• synergy