trigger warning

[ trig-er wawr-ning ]

noun

1. a stated warning that the content of the immediately following text, video, etc., may cause distressing psychological or physiological reactions, especially in people who have previously experienced a related trauma: : TW

   The header line of the blog post contains a trigger warning for rape.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trigger warning¹

First recorded in 1990–95; trigger ( def ) (in the sense “something that stimulates or initiates”)

Example Sentences

Museum staff ultimately decided not to display those materials, and Cochran argues that using them in the film, particularly without a trigger warning, is insensitive.

From Time

Oberlin College codified the trigger warning into its teacher guide, telling professors to “avoid” triggers in their classrooms.

From The Daily Beast