First Known Use: 1644
Dictionary
react
verb re·act \rē-ˈakt\
: to behave or change in a particular way when something happens, is said, etc.
of a chemical substance : to change after coming into contact with another substance
medical : to be affected by a drug, food, etc., in usually a bad way
Full Definition of REACT
intransitive verb
1
: to exert a reciprocal or counteracting force or influence —often used with on or upon
2
: to change in response to a stimulus
3
: to act in opposition to a force or influence —usually used with against
4
: to move or tend in a reverse direction
5
: to undergo chemical reaction
transitive verb
: to cause to react
See react defined for English-language learners
See react defined for kids
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Origin of REACT
New Latin reactus, past participle of reagere, from Latin re- + agere to act — more at agent
Rhymes with REACT
abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked
REACTS Defined for Kids
react
verb re·act \rē-ˈakt\
re·act·edre·act·ing
Definition of REACT for Kids
1
: to act or behave in response to something <Firefighters reacted quickly to the situation.>
2
: to oppose a force or influence Hint:In this sense, react is usually used with against. <Workers reacted against unfair treatment.>
3
: to go through a chemical reaction <Acids react with bases to form salt.>
Medical Dictionary
react
intransitive verb re·act \rē-ˈakt\
Medical Definition of REACT
1
: to respond to a stimulus
2
: to undergo chemical reaction
transitive verb
: to cause to react
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