An incomplete criminal act.

an incomplete suicide

a substantial step towards the commission of an offense, taken with the requisite criminal intent

Engaging in conduct that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of a crime.

EThe government attempted to create jobs in this region.EHe made an attempt at suicide.

The essence of the crime of attempt is that the defendant has failed to commit the actus reus (the Latin term for the "guilty act") of the full offence, but has the direct and specific intent to commit that full offence. The normal rule for establishing criminal liability is to prove an actus reus accompanied by a mens rea ("guilty mind") at the relevant time (see concurrence and strict liability offences as the exception to the rule).