Es-Sa'y is interpreted in three senses:
1. Es-Sa'y is used in the sense of walking; as in the following verses:
Then call them, and they will come to you sa'y (that is, walking on their feet). (al-Baqara 2:260)
When he reached the age to sa'y (that is, to walk) with him... (al-Saffat 37:102)
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the dhikr (remembrance of Allah) with sa'y (that is, go to the obligatory prayer by walking)! (al-Jumu'ah 62:9)
2. Es-Sa'y means deed, work, or action; as in the following verses:
But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the sa'y for it (that is, acts with deeds appropriate to it) and strives for it while he is a believer – it is those whose sa'y is ever appreciated (that is, Allah will graciously accept their deeds and grant them their rewards). (al-Isra 17:19)
So this is your reward. Your sa'y (that is, your deeds) has been appreciated. (al-Insan 76:22)
Indeed, your sa'y (that is, your deeds) are diverse. (al-Layl 92:4)
But those who strive in sa'y against Our verses to cause failure (that is, those who try to prevent people from the Qur'an and from iman [faith])... (al-Hajj 22:51)
There is also a similar example in Surah Saba. 49 3. The term yes'ā is used in the sense of moving quickly/running (in good or evil); as in the following verses: But as for he who came to you sa'y (that is, running)... (Abasa 80:8) And a man came from the farthest end of the city sa'y (that is, running) and said, "O Moses, indeed the eminent ones are conferring over you to kill you..." (al-Qasas 28:20) And a man came from the farthest end of the city sa'y (that is, running) and said, "O my people, follow the messengers!" (Ya-Sin 36:20)