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.

---

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)

---

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

Iran activated the new strategy after last June’s devastating 12-day war with Israel, with its leaders determining they had made a strategic mistake.

From The Wall Street Journal

France is bound by defence accords with several Gulf countries that can be activated to varying degrees -- but it is unclear how far Paris is prepared to go to honour them.

From Barron's

They say returns for stocks tend to be negative on average after that signal is activated.

From MarketWatch

But their loud wail, which can be activated via a mobile app, can be heard about half a mile away.

From Los Angeles Times

The medications activate potassium channels, which relax pericytes and allow previously constricted blood vessels to widen.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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