actuate

American  

[ak-choo-eyt] / ˈæk tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

actuated, actuating

1. to incite or move to action; impel; motivate.

   actuated by selfish motives.

2. to put into action; start a process; turn on.

   to actuate a machine.

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actuate British  

/ ˈæktʃʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. to put into action or mechanical motion

2. to motivate or incite into action

   actuated by unworthy desires

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Other Word Forms

• actuation noun
• actuator noun
• deactuate verb (used with object)
• self-actuating adjective
• unactuated adjective

Etymology

Origin of actuate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) “reduced to action” (past participle of āctuāre ), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) ( act ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The MIT researchers wanted a fiber that could actuate silently and change its shape dramatically, while being compatible with common textile manufacturing procedures.

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2023

You need to press them 1.9mm before they actuate, compared to 1.2mm for Cherry MX Speed Silver, for example.

From The Verge • Mar. 18, 2022

"My task was to design the means of allowing a customer, and only a genuine customer, to actuate the dispenser mechanism," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2016

Screens were mostly resistive, that is, hard to actuate with a tap. 

From Forbes • Apr. 25, 2011

P. S.—The Colonel will readily apologize for the inaccuracies of an unskillful muse, and be convinced the high estimation of his amiable character could alone actuate the author of the foregoing.

From St. Nicholas v. 13 No. 9 July 1886 an Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks by Various