interaction

[ in-ter-ak-shuh n ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈæk ʃən /

noun

reciprocal action, effect, or influence.

Physics.

the direct effect that one kind of particle has on another, in particular, in inducing the emission or absorption of one particle by another.
the mathematical expression that specifies the nature and strength of this effect.

Nearby words

interabang, interac, interacinous, interact, interactant, interaction, interactionism, interactive, interactive engineering, interactive fiction, interactive video

Origin of interaction

First recorded in 1825–35; inter- + action

Related forms

in·ter·ac·tion·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for interactional

interaction

/ (ˌɪntərˈækʃən) /

noun

a mutual or reciprocal action or influence

physics the transfer of energy between elementary particles, between a particle and a field, or between fieldsSee strong interaction, electromagnetic interaction, fundamental interaction, gravitational interaction, weak interaction, electroweak interaction

Derived Forms

interactional, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012