SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

actuate

play

verb ac·tu·ate \ ˈak-chə-ˌwāt , -shə- \

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

—

actuation

play \ˌak-chə-ˈwā-shən, -shə-\ noun

See actuate defined for English-language learners

See actuate defined for kids

Examples of actuate in a Sentence

The pump is actuated by the windmill.
a light actuated by a motion detector

Recent Examples of actuate from the Web

As Bergum rushed to shut down the engine and feather the propeller, the crew actuated the single-shot engine fire extinguisher.

— eric tegler, Popular Mechanics, "Eight decades after its first flight, the DC-3 remains an aviation legend.," 8 Aug. 2017
The window switches are mounted high and far forward on the door panel and awkward to actuate.

— alexander stoklosa, Car and Driver, "2017 Jaguar F-Pace," 1 June 2017
The flames are fed by a 10-gallon liquid propane tank, which is secured in the snail’s neck and will be actuated by reins attached to a pair of globe valves pictured here.

— lewis wallace, WIRED, "Snail Car Is Born When Math, Dreams Collide," 29 Aug. 2008

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

Origin and Etymology of actuate

Medieval Latin actuatus, past participle of actuare to execute, from Latin actus act

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1641

See Words from the same year

actuate Synonyms

Synonyms

activate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, trigger, turn on

Antonyms

cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

Related Words

kick over, turn over; charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push; discharge, launch, release, switch, trip; reactivate, recharge; arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize; ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up; accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up

Near Antonyms

arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop; decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress

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

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

ACTUATE Defined for English Language Learners

actuate

play

verb

Definition of actuate for English Language Learners

: to make (a machine or electrical device) move or operate
: to cause someone to do something or to act in a certain way

Learn More about actuate

See words that rhyme with actuate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for actuate Nglish: Translation of actuate for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up actuate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

shofar

play

a ram's-horn trumpet used in Judaism

BROWSE DICTIONARY

actuaries' table

actuary

actuate

actuator

ACT UP

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59c4207ecf106

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

Silent Letters

When each letter can be seen but not heard

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz

stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: actuate in a Sentence