activate

verb

ac·​ti·​vate ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

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

ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

activator

ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• actuate
• crank (up)
• drive
• move
• run
• set off
• spark
• start
• touch off
• trigger
• turn on

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

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

Kids Definition

activate

verb

ac·​ti·​vate ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

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

ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

activator

ˈak-tə-ˌvāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

activate

transitive verb

ac·​ti·​vate ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

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

ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun