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Definition of trigger
1a : a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; especially : the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gunb : a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated trigger of a spray gun
2 : something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction
trigger
adjectiveIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Recent Examples of trigger from the Web
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Without that proofreading, mutations build up, not necessarily the kind that trigger cancer but bystanders in a growing tumor.
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Those individuals work with doctors to help families manage kids' asthma, such as by visiting homes to search for possible triggers and by providing ongoing education, Battle said.
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Then physicians can prescribe an exact medical routine, dosage, and trigger-allergen analysis.
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Thankfully, Huff didn’t squeeze the trigger of his gun and instead lived to tell his story.
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Dogs are especially bothered by fireworks, which can cause anxiety and trigger flight instincts.
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The Air Louisville study did not look at the indoor triggers, which Barrett said have already been widely researched.
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Emotional triggers are everywhere in this Italian concentration-camp drama that smiles through the horror.
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During fetal development, chemical triggers called epigenomes cause cells to differentiate, so that some become muscle and others become bone, nerves, skin, or tissue.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trigger'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of trigger
alteration of earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker one that pulls, from trecken to pull — more at trek
trigger
Definition of trigger
triggered
;triggering
play \ˈtri-g(ə-)riŋ\transitive verb
1a : to release or activate by means of a trigger; especially : to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger trigger a rifleb : to cause the explosion of trigger a missile with a proximity fuse
2 : to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger an indiscreet remark that triggered a fight a stimulus that triggered a reflex
intransitive verb
: to release a mechanical trigger
Examples of trigger in a Sentence
Smoke triggered the fire alarm.
The timer was set to trigger the bomb in exactly one hour.
His remarks triggered a public outcry.
Certain foods trigger his headaches.
The power outage was triggered by heavy rains.
Recent Examples of trigger from the Web
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The charter’s release triggered a sell-off of South African mining stocks.
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Among people in the migraine group, lights of all colors triggered unpleasant physical sensations—including tightness in the chest or throat, shortness of breath, light-headedness and nausea—both during and between attacks.
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Then again, maybe living in 300 square feet doesn’t instantly trigger enlightenment.
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And now, some very hungry caterpillars are triggering serious skin irritations.
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On Monday, that wide margin of victory seemed to have disappeared, as many of the contract's key provisions triggered passionate debates for opposing viewpoints.
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The Simms brothers and other investors acquired the business in 2000 for $53 million, triggering immediate controversy because of Jerry’s history.
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Schirmer said the treatments were triggered by the department's trap catches of gypsy moths in the previous year.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trigger'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of trigger
1916
TRIGGER Defined for English Language Learners
trigger
playDefinition of trigger for English Language Learners
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: a lever on a gun that you pull to fire the gun
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: something that causes something else to happen
trigger
Definition of trigger for English Language Learners
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: to cause (something, such as an alarm) to start functioning
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: to cause (a bomb) to explode
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: to cause (something) to start or happen
TRIGGER Defined for Kids
trigger
playDefinition of trigger for Students
: the part of the lock of a gun that is pressed to release the hammer so that it will fire
Learn More about trigger
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See words that rhyme with trigger Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trigger Spanish Central: Translation of trigger Nglish: Translation of trigger for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trigger for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trigger
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