activate

American  

[ak-tuh-veyt] / ˈæk təˌveɪt /

verb (used with object)

activated, activating

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

   Synonyms:

   start, actuate

   Antonyms:

   check, halt, stop

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.

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verb (used without object)

activated, activating

1. to become active or functional.

activate British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

• activation noun
• activator noun
• nonactivation noun
• overactivate verb (used with object)
• superactivate verb (used with object)
• unactivated adjective

Etymology

Origin of activate

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

Example Sentences

Blood collected after exercise also boosted DNA repair, activating a key repair gene known as PNKP.

From Science Daily

Illumination with red light is designed to rupture the cell, releasing cancer antigens that may activate the body’s immune system to fight the cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the vibration condition, the device was strapped to the Achilles and knee tendons and activated for 10 minutes before cycling began.

From Science Daily

The company says that its smart glasses "have an LED light that activates whenever someone captures content, so it's clear to others that the device is recording".

From BBC

These receptors are proteins found on nerve cells that reduce pain signals when activated by opioids such as morphine.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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