trigger

American  

[trig-er] / ˈtrɪg ər /

noun

1. a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.

2. a device, as a lever, the pulling or pressing of which releases a catch or spring.

3. anything, as an act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions.

4. something that evokes the memory of a traumatic experience, setting off an intense negative emotional reaction.

   This issue of the magazine contains accounts of sexual assault, and may be a trigger for some people.

5. Slang. triggerman.

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verb (used with object)

1. to initiate or precipitate (a chain of events, scientific reaction, psychological process, etc.).

   Their small protest triggered a mass demonstration.

2. to fire or explode (a gun, missile, etc.) by pulling a trigger or releasing a triggering device.

   He accidentally triggered his rifle.

3. to set off a negative emotional reaction in (someone), as by evoking the memory of a traumatic experience, repeatedly raising a sensitive issue, etc..

   I missed seeing my mom in the ICU before she died, and imagining her there triggers me every time I see ICU footage on TV.

verb (used without object)

1. to release a trigger.

2. to become active; activate.

idioms

1. quick on the trigger, quick to act or respond; impetuous; alert.

trigger British  

/ ˈtrɪɡə /

noun

1. a small projecting lever that activates the firing mechanism of a firearm

2. machinery a device that releases a spring-loaded mechanism or a similar arrangement

3. any event that sets a course of action in motion

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verb

1. (usually foll by off) to give rise (to); set off

2. to fire or set in motion by or as by pulling a trigger

trigger More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing trigger

• quick on the draw (trigger)

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Other Word Forms

• triggered adjective
• triggerless adjective

Etymology

Origin of trigger

First recorded in 1615–25; earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, equivalent to trekk(en) “to pull” + -er -er ¹

Example Sentences

His deployment of troops to fight jihadists in Somalia, and an open-door policy to refugees, won favour from foreign donors, even as they triggered corruption scandals at home.

From Barron's

Treasurys remain stubbornly high—a sign investors don’t expect a recession that would trigger deeper cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal

As ice locked up water, vast shallow seas dried out, triggering an "icehouse climate" and radically altering ocean chemistry.

From Science Daily

In the same poll, middle-income adults who reported that they had less take-home pay spiked to 11.2%, crossing the threshold likely to trigger recessionary conditions, Leer said.

From MarketWatch

One virtue of the California proposal is that, even if it fails to get enacted or even to reach the ballot, it may trigger more discussion of options for taxing plutocratic fortunes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bring about
• cause
• generate
• produce
• prompt
• provoke
• set off
• spark
• start