activate

American  

[ak-tuh-veyt] / ˈæk təˌveɪt /

verb (used with object)

activates, present (3rd person singular) activated, past participle, past activating present participle

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)

activates, present (3rd person singular) activated, past participle, past activating present participle

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

Derived Forms

• activation
  noun
• activator
  noun
• nonactivation
  noun
• unactivated
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• activating
  present
• activated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• activate
  simple
• activates
  simple
• have activated
  perfect
• has activated
  perfect
• am activating
  progressive
• are activating
  progressive
• is activating
  progressive
• have been activating
  perfect progressive
• has been activating
  perfect progressive

Past

• activated
  simple
• had activated
  perfect
• was activating
  progressive
• were activating
  progressive
• had been activating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will activate
  simple
• will have activated
  perfect
• will be activating
  progressive
• will have been activating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of activate

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

Explanation

To activate something is to start it off, trigger it, or set it in motion. A villain in a late-night movie might say, “Activate the robot chickens!” And then you’re free to activate your remote and change the channel. To activate something is to make it active. It’s not just for bad guys — when you activate a credit or library card, you can start using it. When a coach activates a player on a sports team, the player enters the game. If someone activates a bomb, you should run. If the pancakes you’re cooking burst into flames, you’ll probably activate the smoke alarm. And you should run.

Example Sentences

Activate instead uses a more holistic approach to evaluate creditworthiness, taking into account applicants’ life stories and business expertise.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2023

These devices and actions can be configured in the iOS Switch Control and Head Tracking settings, or in Google’s Camera Switches and Project Activate apps for Android.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2022

These include: Smart home: Activate smart home devices such as lights, robot vacuums, smart fans or shades, and a door lock.

From The Verge • Aug. 19, 2022

He also founded the U.S. nonprofit Activate, which has supported the creation of more than 100 science-based startups, according to a government statement.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 27, 2022

Joon and I try to join forces, like Spider-Man and Superman, like Wonder Twin Powers Activate!

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na

Related Words

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