activate
[ ak-tuh-veyt ]
/ ˈæk təˌveɪt /
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verb (used with object), ac·ti·vat·ed, ac·ti·vat·ing.
to make active; cause to function or act.
Physics.
- to render more reactive; excite: to activate a molecule.
- to induce radioactivity.
to aerate (sewage) in order to accelerate decomposition of impure organic matter by microorganisms.
Chemistry.
- to make (carbon, a catalyst, molecules, etc.) more active.
- to hasten (reactions) by various means, as heating.
to place (a military unit or station) on an active status in an assigned capacity.
verb (used without object), ac·ti·vat·ed, ac·ti·vat·ing.
to become active or functional.
OTHER WORDS FOR activate
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OTHER WORDS FROM activate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use activate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for activate
activate
/ (ˈæktɪˌveɪt) /
verb (tr)
to make active or capable of action
physics to make radioactive
chem
- to increase the rate of (a reaction)
- to treat (a substance, such as carbon or alumina) so as to increase powers of adsorption
physiol to prepare by arousal (the body or one of its organs (e.g. the brain)) for action
to purify (sewage) by aeration
US military to create, mobilize, or organize (a unit)
Derived forms of activate
activation, nounactivator, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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