take action; do something

they urged Washington to act

he denied the charges, claiming that he had acted in self-defence

we must act to reduce pollution

behave in the way specified

they challenged a man who was seen acting suspiciously

he acts as if he owned the place

try to act like civilized adults

take effect; have a particular effect

blood samples are analysed to find out how the drug acts in the body

they should remove taxes that act to suppress demand

perform a role in a play, film, or television

she acted in her first professional role at the age of six

he acted the role of the king

a thing done; a deed

a criminal act

the act of writing down one's thoughts

an act of heroism

a pretence

she was putting on an act and laughing a lot

a written law passed by Parliament, Congress, etc.

the 1989 Children Act

a main division of a play, ballet, or opera

the first act

advance corporation tax

Australian Capital Territory