actuate

American  

[ak-choo-eyt] / ˈæk tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

actuated, actuating

1. to incite or move to action; impel; motivate.

   actuated by selfish motives.

2. to put into action; start a process; turn on.

   to actuate a machine.

---

actuate British  

/ ˈæktʃʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. to put into action or mechanical motion

2. to motivate or incite into action

   actuated by unworthy desires

---

Other Word Forms

• actuation noun
• actuator noun
• deactuate verb (used with object)
• self-actuating adjective
• unactuated adjective

Etymology

Origin of actuate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) “reduced to action” (past participle of āctuāre ), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) ( act ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The MIT researchers wanted a fiber that could actuate silently and change its shape dramatically, while being compatible with common textile manufacturing procedures.

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2023

You need to press them 1.9mm before they actuate, compared to 1.2mm for Cherry MX Speed Silver, for example.

From The Verge • Mar. 18, 2022

"My task was to design the means of allowing a customer, and only a genuine customer, to actuate the dispenser mechanism," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2016

Screens were mostly resistive, that is, hard to actuate with a tap. 

From Forbes • Apr. 25, 2011

It was not her threat that was the driving force that must actuate him.

From Doors of the Night by Packard, Frank L. (Frank Lucius)