activator

[ ak-tuh-vey-ter ]

/ ˈæk təˌveɪ tər /

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See synonyms for activator on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person or thing that activates.

Chemistry, Biochemistry. a catalyst.

any impurity in a mineral that causes luminescence.Compare inhibitor (def. 3).

Orthodontics. a removable appliance, usually of hard plastic, that is worn in the mouth instead of a fixed appliance to help align the teeth and improve the relationship of the lower jaw to the upper.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of activator

activate + -or²

OTHER WORDS FROM activator

non·ac·ti·va·tor, noun

Words nearby activator

activated charcoal, activated mine, activated sludge, activation analysis, activation energy, activator, active, active centre, active duty, active galactic nucleus, active galaxy

How to use activator in a sentence

Just like with color, fluorescence in minerals is often the product of impurities, called activators.
How minerals and rocks reflect rainbows, glow in the dark, and otherwise blow your mind|Lauren Leffer|June 28, 2021|Popular-Science
Before you add activator, have a plan for holding the pieces together if you’re dealing with separate pieces.
Cracked marble? There’s a DIY fix.|Jeanne Huber|May 31, 2021|Washington Post
The color will change very little after the activator is added, Geronimo said.
Cracked marble? There’s a DIY fix.|Jeanne Huber|May 31, 2021|Washington Post
Once you mix in the activator, you’ll have five to 15 minutes of working time.
Cracked marble? There’s a DIY fix.|Jeanne Huber|May 31, 2021|Washington Post

The adhesive should be fully set in 15 to 40 minutes, depending on the temperature, how much activator you used and how much material you mixed.
Cracked marble? There’s a DIY fix.|Jeanne Huber|May 31, 2021|Washington Post
TA-65, the new study claims, is a “telomerase activator”—that is, it turns on telomerase in cells.
New Anti-Aging Pill Under Fire|Thea Singer|April 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The Black Doctor closed his eyes wearily and flipped an activator switch.
Contamination Crew|Alan Edward Nourse
I call him Homo Causacadere, the fall causer, whose activator is hostility.
I Was a Teen-Age Secret Weapon|Richard Sabia
Finally, he poked the activator bar, and watched as the machine spat out tape.
The Players|Everett B. Cole
They may have been, and the use of the activator may have been extorted from one of them.
Temple Trouble|Henry Beam Piper
Skordran Kirv used a door-activator to slide open a hidden door.
Time Crime|H. Beam Piper