- reaction */*/*/
- UK [rɪˈækʃ(ə)n] / US
noun
Word forms "reaction":
singular reaction plural reactions1)a) [countable] the way that you feel or behave as a result of something that happensMy mother's initial reaction was quite unexpected.
b) [usually singular] a sudden feeling of being tired, upset etc, for example after an unpleasant or exciting experiencereaction to:The reaction of any individual trauma victim is difficult to predict.
Shock is a natural reaction to such bad news.
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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with reaction
▪ adverse, emotional, gut, immediate, initial, instinctive, knee-jerk, natural, violent2) [countable] a bad effect on your body caused by food, medicine, or another substancereaction to:have/suffer a reaction:Some people's skin has an allergic reaction to certain types of fabric.
He suffered a violent reaction to the medicine.
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Collocations:
Verbs frequently used with reaction as the object ▪ cause, produce, provoke, trigger3) reactions[plural] your ability to think and act quickly in a difficult or dangerous situationA tragedy was only prevented by the driver's quick reactions.
4)a) [countable] chemistry a process in which a chemical change happensreaction between:Temperature can affect the rate of a chemical reaction.
We are studying reactions between a number of metals and acids.
b) [countable/uncountable] physics a physical force that is caused by an opposite physical force, usually producing a form of energya nuclear reaction
Newton teaches that action and reaction are equal and opposite.
••See:5) [singular] an attitude of wanting to do things in a different way from the way that they were done in the pastreaction against:The reaction against traditional styles continued for another 50 years.
6) [uncountable] formal strong opposition to any social or political changethe forces of reaction
English dictionary. 2014.