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
Meanwhile, in suburban Cook County, three courthouses — in Skokie, Maywood and Markham — were activated as 24/7 cooling centers from June 21 to June 24 in response to the heat advisory.
—
Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
It’s been a couple of years since Google and Jamestown activated a stretch of downtown San Jose near SAP Center with its Creekside Socials, block parties with music, art and food trucks.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Known as the ram air turbine, it can also be manually activated.
—Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Newman was activated from the paternity list during Thursday’s off day, while infielder/outfielder Kyren Paris was optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for activate
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Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
It’s been a couple of years since Google and Jamestown activated a stretch of downtown San Jose near SAP Center with its Creekside Socials, block parties with music, art and food trucks.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Known as the ram air turbine, it can also be manually activated.
—Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Newman was activated from the paternity list during Thursday’s off day, while infielder/outfielder Kyren Paris was optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 27 June 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 10 Jul. 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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