activate

[ ak-tuh-veyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·ti·vat·ed, ac·ti·vat·ing.

1. to make active; cause to function or act.

   Synonyms: start, actuate

   Antonyms: halt, stop, check

2. Physics.
   1. to render more reactive; excite:

      to activate a molecule.

   2. to induce radioactivity.
3. to aerate (sewage) in order to accelerate decomposition of impure organic matter by microorganisms.
4. Chemistry.
   1. to make (carbon, a catalyst, molecules, etc.) more active.
   2. to hasten (reactions) by various means, as heating.
5. to place (a military unit or station) on an active status in an assigned capacity.

verb (used without object)

, ac·ti·vat·ed, ac·ti·vat·ing.

1. to become active or functional.

activate

/ ˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. to make active or capable of action
2. physics to make radioactive
3. chem
   1. to increase the rate of (a reaction)
   2. to treat (a substance, such as carbon or alumina) so as to increase powers of adsorption
4. physiol to prepare by arousal (the body or one of its organs (e.g. the brain)) for action
5. to purify (sewage) by aeration
6. military to create, mobilize, or organize (a unit)

Derived Forms

• ˈactiˌvator, noun
• ˌactiˈvation, noun

Other Words From

• ac·ti·va·tion [ak-t, uh, -, vey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• non·ac·ti·va·tion noun
• o·ver·ac·ti·vate verb (used with object) overactivated overactivating
• su·per·ac·ti·vate verb (used with object) superactivated superactivating
• un·ac·ti·vat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of activate¹

First recorded in 1620–30; active + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Instead of repressing tumor-suppressor genes, this form of EZH2 drives rapid protein production and activates growth factors like TGF-β, fostering an environment around the tumor that promotes cancer progression despite androgen receptor inhibition.

From Science Daily

They chemically stimulated the granule cells in mouse brain tissue samples to activate the process of memory formation.

From Science Daily

Furthermore, when the researchers artificially activated this cortex-pons-medulla circuit, the animals' breath slowed, and they showed fewer signs of anxiety.

From Science Daily

When you train your muscles, or get injured, these satellite cells are activated to form new muscle fibers.

From Science Daily

"In Parkinson's disease, when they're constantly activated, microglia can propagate further damage to the surrounding tissue. That's what we see in Parkinson's brains, particularly in regions associated with cognitive decline."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• call up
• mobilize
• stimulate
• switch on
• trigger
• turn on