activate

/ˌæktəˈveɪt/

/ˈæktɪveɪt/

Other forms: activated; activating; activates

To activate something is to start it off, trigger it, or set it in motion. A villain in a late-night movie might say, “Activate the robot chickens!” And then you’re free to activate your remote and change the channel.

To activate something is to make it active. It’s not just for bad guys — when you activate a credit or library card, you can start using it. When a coach activates a player on a sports team, the player enters the game. If someone activates a bomb, you should run. If the pancakes you’re cooking burst into flames, you’ll probably activate the smoke alarm. And you should run.

Definitions of activate

1. verb

   put in motion or move to act
   synonyms: actuate, set off, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger, trigger off, trip

   type of:

   initiate, pioneer

   take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
2. verb

   make active or more active
   “activate an old file”

   antonyms:

   inactivate

   make inactive

   types:

   reactivate

   put in motion again

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
3. verb

   aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter
   synonyms: aerate

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
4. verb

   make more adsorptive
   “activate a metal”

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
5. verb

   make (substances) radioactive
   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation