activate
verb
ac·ti·vate
ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
activated; activating
: 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
: to become active
Examples of activate in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Breathing in and sighing out slowly for longer than your in breath with an open mouth can activate the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system.
—
Paul McClure 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2025
Take these steps to win bonus bets for basketball, baseball, hockey and other sports this weekend:
Follow the links on this page to activate the welcome offer.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Both labor-intensive and time-consuming, the tool required food professionals and at-home cooks to literally rotate its handle to activate the accompanying beater(s).
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
On weekday mornings, when pedestrians would activate the signal during rush hour, roughly 10 cars would usually be backed up down a side street.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
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Paul McClure 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2025
Take these steps to win bonus bets for basketball, baseball, hockey and other sports this weekend:
Follow the links on this page to activate the welcome offer.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Both labor-intensive and time-consuming, the tool required food professionals and at-home cooks to literally rotate its handle to activate the accompanying beater(s).
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
On weekday mornings, when pedestrians would activate the signal during rush hour, roughly 10 cars would usually be backed up down a side street.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activate. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
John W. McDonald et al., Scientific American
c
: to make (a substance) radioactive
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