activate
verb (used with object)
to make active; cause to function or act.
activated
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past participleof activate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof activate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
activateverb (used with object)to make active; cause to function or act.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said they activated flashing signs close by the bridge when vehicles of a certain height drove past.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
Newport Beach has declared a local emergency ahead of the tides and activated its emergency operations center, gearing up for flood prevention and response efforts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
The company attributes this growth to cloud computing deals it activated during the third quarter, as well as the close of its acquisition of Cursor and increased adoption of Grok.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
The process relies on a combination of proteins called transcription factors, which regulate how genes are activated.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
Of course, she hadn’t activated the pendant yet, so his device couldn’t detect it.
From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld
