Definition
nounOne who is politically active in the role of a citizen; especially, one who campaigns for change.
nounOne who is conspicuously active in carrying out any occupational or professional functions.
Sentence Examples
Tom is an activist in his community.
Al Gore is a global-warming activist.
She was an activist in the Women's Liberation Movement.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-
Proto-Indo-European *-eti
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti
Proto-Italic *agō
Latin agō
Proto-Indo-European *-wós
Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder.
Latin -īvus
▲
Ancient Greek ἐνεργητῐκός (energētĭkós)sl.
Latin āctīvusbor.
Old French actifbor.
Middle English actyf
English active
Proto-Indo-European *-id-
Proto-Indo-European *-yéti
Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti
Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō
Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)
Proto-Hellenic *-tās
Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs)
Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor.
Latin -istader.
Old French -istebor.
Middle English -ist
English -ist
English activist
From active + -ist.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It has jailed environmental activists and is planning to limit the power of judicial oversight by handing a state-approved body a monopoly over bringing environmental lawsuits."
— 2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:
"The six activists will now face a retrial at Highbury Magistrates' Court, in front of a new judge."
— 2023 January 11, “Network News: Court decision overturned: Six HS2 activists face retrial”, in RAIL, number 974, page 9:
"Even in the area of free speech, Justice Harlan sometimes emerged as more activist than his brother"
— 1971 September 26, “They Will Affect The Nation For Years To Come”, in New York Times:
"These cell-phoned crowds are activist but not militant; today’s “mobe” is no mob."
— 2000 April 13, William Safire, “Essay: Here Come the Big Parades”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 May 2015:
"Now GM has what may well be the most activist board ever."
— 2009 December 10, “Angst Over GM's Activist Board”, in BusinessWeek: