React Meaning
React Definition & Usage
To respond to something or someone, often as a result of an external stimulus or event.
Examples
- "She didn't react immediately to the news, but later she seemed visibly upset."
- "The crowd reacted with applause when the singer finished the song."
- "His reaction to the surprise party was priceless—he couldn't stop smiling."
- "I had to react quickly to the change in the schedule."
- "How did you react when you first saw the final results?"
To undergo a chemical or physical process as a result of interaction with another substance.
Examples
- "The sodium and chlorine react to form salt."
- "When exposed to heat, the substance reacts with oxygen."
- "The chemicals react violently under the right conditions."
- "In this experiment, we will observe how different substances react with each other."
- "Certain metals react with acids to produce hydrogen gas."
To process or execute a response to an event, typically in programming or software systems.
Examples
- "The system will react to the user's input by updating the interface."
- "The app is designed to react in real-time to changes in data."
- "Make sure the program reacts appropriately when an error occurs."
- "The website should react instantly to clicks and form submissions."
- "The software must react to the user's behavior without lag."
Cultural Context
The word 'react' originates from the Latin word 'reactus', meaning to 'act in return'. It has evolved to cover a wide range of meanings, both in emotional, physical, and scientific contexts. In modern usage, 'react' often refers to immediate or spontaneous responses to stimuli, whether emotional, chemical, or mechanical. The word is highly versatile and commonly used in both everyday speech and specialized fields such as science and technology.
The Unexpected Response
Story
The Unexpected Response
Sarah sat in front of her computer, scrolling through the endless notifications that popped up. Her mind had been preoccupied all day, thinking about the new project deadline, when suddenly an email notification grabbed her attention. It was from her supervisor. Her heart skipped a beat as she clicked it open, expecting the usual work-related update. But this time, the email announced a sudden change in the project scope. Sarah's immediate reaction was one of disbelief—she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had to react quickly, adjusting her own schedule to meet the new demands. In another part of the office, Mark was working with a colleague on a complex chemical experiment. The substances they mixed seemed harmless enough, but as they stirred the solution, a reaction began to take place. A faint fizzing sound followed by a burst of color spread through the flask. Mark’s eyes widened as he observed the reaction, knowing that the balance of the chemicals had triggered something far more intense than they anticipated. As the day drew to a close, Sarah's phone buzzed again. This time it was a reminder for her to check the new software update she had been waiting for. She clicked on the app, and within seconds, the interface shifted, reacting to her touch with a smooth transition that made her smile. Technology could sometimes be just as surprising as the human responses she had to manage at work. Later that evening, Sarah reflected on how differently people and machines react to the unexpected. From the surprise email that made her adjust her plans, to the sudden burst of reaction in Mark’s experiment, and even the seamless way the app had responded to her input, she marveled at the various ways in which the world—whether human, chemical, or digital—reacted to changes.
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