Definition of actuate
actuated
;actuating
transitive verb
1 : to put into mechanical action or motion The pump is actuated by the windmill.
2 : to move to action a decision actuated by greed
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Examples of actuate in a sentence
The pump is actuated by the windmill.
a light actuated by a motion detector
Origin and Etymology of actuate
Medieval Latin actuatus, past participle of actuare to execute, from Latin actus act
First Known Use: 1641
Synonym Discussion of actuate
move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position. moved the furniture actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion. turbines actuated by waterpower drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus. a ship driven aground by hurricane winds impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus. a candidate impelled by ambition
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
ACTUATE Defined for English Language Learners
actuate
play
verb
ac·tu·ate
\ˈak-chə-ˌwāt, -shə-\
Definition of actuate for English Language Learners
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: to make (a machine or electrical device) move or operate
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: to cause someone to do something or to act in a certain way
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