Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Interaction has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
a mutual or reciprocal action; interacting
"The teacher noticed that the students' interaction during group work was limited to passing papers rather than discussing ideas."
(physics) the transfer of energy between elementary particles or between an elementary particle and a field or between fields; mediated by gauge bosons
"When high-energy electrons collide, their interaction through electromagnetic forces is governed by the exchange of virtual photons."
The situation or occurrence in which two or more objects or events act upon one another to produce a new effect; the effect resulting from such a situation or occurrence.
"When the hot sauce hits the cold cheese, their interaction creates an intense, smoky aroma that fills the entire kitchen."
In plain English: An interaction is when two or more people or things affect each other while doing something together.
"The user read the instructions to ensure smooth interaction with the new software."
Usage: Use "interaction" to describe a mutual influence where two or more people or things affect each other, rather than just one acting on the other. For example, a conversation is an interaction between speakers, while a single person talking to themselves is not.
The word interaction entered English from Medieval Latin as interāctiō. It originally referred to the act of acting upon or between things before taking on its modern sense of mutual influence.