action

noun | ac·tion

1. a : a judicial proceeding for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense — compare special proceeding at proceeding

   b : the right to bring or maintain such a legal or judicial proceeding

2. : an act or decision by an executive or legislative body of a government (as an administrative agency) or of an organization (as a Board of Directors) the power of courts to invalidate statutes and executive actions —R. H. Bork

3. : a voluntary act of will that manifests itself externally : a mode of conduct