activation energy
noun
: the minimum amount of energy required to convert a normal stable molecule into a reactive molecule
Examples of activation energy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, the material exhibits a low activation energy, indicating minimal energy barriers for lithium-ion movement.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 15 Feb. 2024
This energy is called the activation energy.
—Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2016
The firmness of beans, which was measured by use of a tenderometer, decreases during blanching according to a first order reaction with 40 kcal/mole activation energy.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2010
What all of these examples have in common is that the former require less activation energy—the initial self-discipline and oomph to start something—and feel good immediately but crappy later on.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside Online, 24 May 2022
If the activation energy is too high, the reaction does not occur.
—Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2016
Just about everything in my life—from getting out of bed to exercising to writing to coaching to reading—required a significant amount of activation energy.
—Brad Stulberg, Time, 20 Sep. 2021
The problem, of course, is that authoring statements requires little activation energy (often little more than a Slack message to a Black employee, asking for input), and no energy at all once the statement has been issued.
—C. Brandon Ogbunu, Wired, 25 May 2021
These create the activation energy required for a high explosive to react.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 19 Feb. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
IEEE Spectrum, 15 Feb. 2024
This energy is called the activation energy.
—Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2016
The firmness of beans, which was measured by use of a tenderometer, decreases during blanching according to a first order reaction with 40 kcal/mole activation energy.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2010
What all of these examples have in common is that the former require less activation energy—the initial self-discipline and oomph to start something—and feel good immediately but crappy later on.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside Online, 24 May 2022
If the activation energy is too high, the reaction does not occur.
—Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2016
Just about everything in my life—from getting out of bed to exercising to writing to coaching to reading—required a significant amount of activation energy.
—Brad Stulberg, Time, 20 Sep. 2021
The problem, of course, is that authoring statements requires little activation energy (often little more than a Slack message to a Black employee, asking for input), and no energy at all once the statement has been issued.
—C. Brandon Ogbunu, Wired, 25 May 2021
These create the activation energy required for a high explosive to react.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 19 Feb. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Activation energy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activation%20energy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
activation energy
noun
ac·ti·va·tion energy
ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən- 
: the minimum amount of energy required to convert a normal stable molecule into a reactive molecule
called also energy of activation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share