activate

verb

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ac·ti·vate | \ ˈak-tə-ˌvāt

activated; activating

Definition of activate

transitive verb

: 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

intransitive verb

: to become active

Other Words from activate Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About activate

Other Words from activate

activation \ ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən

\ noun

activator \ ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər

\ noun

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web These cyclic dinucleotides are the second messengers that activate STING. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 Additionally, the Moderna vaccine spurred relatively higher levels of antibodies that activate immune cells called natural killer cells. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2022 Other back-strengthening exercises rely on stabilization or resisting motion, such as the ones that activate your erector spinae, or your deep lower back muscles. — SELF, 25 Mar. 2022 The steering-wheel controls require a deliberate tap to activate, and the sliders for volume and track/channel skip aren't as overly sensitive as other brands. — Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 3 June 2022 Click on any of the links on this page to automatically activate our FanDuel promo code and this new users offer. — Xl Media, cleveland, 2 June 2022 Acting on an order from Newsom, the State Water Resources Control Board voted to adopt emergency drought regulations that require water suppliers to activate their local drought plans to prepare for a shortage of up to 20%. — Ian Jamesstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2022 The emergency decree would allow the government to activate the coal facilities without approval from parliament for up to six months. — Time, 24 May 2022 Swing your legs to activate your hamstring for your sprint and backwards running. — Perri O. Blumberg, Men's Health, 23 May 2022 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near activate

activable

activate

activated alumina

Statistics for activate

Last Updated

19 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for activate

activate

verb

ac·ti·vate | \ ˈak-tə-ˌvāt

activated; activating

Kids Definition of activate

: to start working or cause to start working Activate the alarm.

activate

transitive verb

ac·ti·vate | \ ˈak-tə-ˌvāt

activated; activating

Medical Definition of activate

: 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

c : to make (a substance) radioactive