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

But there was a unique throughline for the Musk coalition all the way up through Trump: an ability to activate the types of online bros who might not have ever considered hitting the polling booth even 10 years ago.

From Slate

But having fewer young people on the ballot makes it harder to activate and engage young voters, she said.

From Slate

In anticipation of these events, Los Angeles’ Mayor Karen Bass said Thursday that she directed the city’s Emergency Operations Center to activate at a status “Level 3” to coordinate city employees on Friday and into the weekend to help manage traffic.

From Los Angeles Times

Several selfies were attempted, both with and without glasses, but no matter how many times Chuck the Condor praised my selfie skills, the feature wouldn’t activate.

From Los Angeles Times

The documents also report no sign of any preparations by Israel to activate its nuclear deterrent.

From BBC

Related Words

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