activate

verb

ac·​ti·​vate ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce activate (audio)
activated; activating

transitive verb

: to make active or more active: such as
a(1)
: to make (something, such as a molecule) reactive or more reactive
(2)
: to convert (something, such as a provitamin) into a biologically active derivative
b
: to make (a substance) radioactive
c
: to treat (a substance, such as carbon or alumina) so as to improve adsorptive properties
d(1)
: to set up or formally institute (an organized group, such as a military unit) with the necessary personnel and equipment
(2)
: to put (an individual or unit) on active duty

intransitive verb

: to become active
activation noun
activator noun

Example Sentences

Touch the screen to activate the system. activate and then deactivate a mechanism The camera is activated by pushing a button. The bomb was activated by remote control. Sunlight activates a chemical reaction in the plant's leaves. vitamins that activate the growth of new cells The President has activated the reserves. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Scherer said a fire in the storage room caused the emergency sprinklers to activate. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2023 GitHub users looking to activate the 2FA before March 13 can go to their account settings. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 10 Mar. 2023 On the other hand, per feng shui principles, mirrors can activate just the right energy in a room when they are used sensibly. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 8 Mar. 2023 However, because these drugs tend to act on the entire body, scientists had not been able to activate only the heart and isolate its role in the heart-brain axis. Byclaudia Lopez Lloreda, science.org, 1 Mar. 2023 In January and February, the city mailed letters and sent emails in four languages to holders of dormant accounts and their employers to remind them to activate their funds. Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2023 Creating soft wearables, such as an intelligent shirt that can sense or activate in some way, has been one of the lab’s long-term goals, Danielescu says. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2023 There are seven classes of receptors in humans; some activate signaling pathways, while others inhibit them. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2023 Keep the soil moist and activate the microbes in it. Jeff Lowenfels | Alaska Gardening And Growing, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'activate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

active entry 1 + -ate entry 4, probably as adaptation of French activer, going back to Middle French, derivative of actif active entry 1

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of activate was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near activate

Cite this Entry

“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

activate

verb
ac·​ti·​vate ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce activate (audio)
activated; activating
1
: to make active
2
: to make (as molecules) more chemically active
3
: to make (a substance) give off radioactive particles, give off light at low temperatures, be easily affected by light, or carry an electric charge under the influence of light or other electromagnetic radiation
4
: to treat (as carbon or alumina) so as to improve the amount of adsorption
5
: to place on active military duty
activate the reserves
activation noun
activator noun

Medical Definition

activate

transitive verb
ac·​ti·​vate ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce activate (audio)
activated; activating
: to make active or more active: as
a
: to convert into a biologically active derivative or form
activated plasminogen
b
: to make biologically or molecularly active
activate protein synthesis
The [spinal] cord also contains neuronal circuits … that can be activated by incoming sensory signals without input from the brain …John W. McDonald et al., Scientific American
c
: to make (a substance) radioactive
activation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on activate

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