trigger

[ trig-er ]

/ ˈtrɪg ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR trigger ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

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

Slang. triggerman.

verb (used with object)

to initiate or precipitate (a chain of events, scientific reaction, psychological process, etc.): Their small protest triggered a mass demonstration.

to fire or explode (a gun, missile, etc.) by pulling a trigger or releasing a triggering device: He accidentally triggered his rifle.

verb (used without object)

to release a trigger.

to become active; activate.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

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Idioms for trigger

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

Origin of trigger

1615–25; earlier tricker < Dutch trekker, equivalent to trekk(en) to pull + -er -er¹

OTHER WORDS FROM trigger

un·trig·gered, adjective

Words nearby trigger

trigeminal rhizotomy, trigeminal rhythm, trigeminus, trigeminy, trigeneration, trigger, trigger area, trigger finger, trigger happy, trigger mechanism, trigger plant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for triggered

The Big Five banks dubbed too big to fail, are 35 percent bigger than they were when the meltdown was triggered.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton|Eleanor Clift|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
No alarms were triggered as she strolled out of the Giant supermarket in Limerick, Pennsylvania, and nobody thought otherwise.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks|M.L. Nestel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Daily Beast: What triggered you to take up this initiative?
James Patterson Goes Full ‘Fahrenheit 451’ With Burning Book Video|William O’Connor|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In defiance, I held my ticket above my head, which triggered the spitting and chants of “How Dare You!”
Inside the Metropolitan Opera’s Insane Year|Shawn E. Milnes|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Instead, Sanders sold it for a sweet $87,000, which triggered an inevitable lawsuit (PDF).
Bid on CIA’s Osama Action Figure, Lewinsky's Lingerie, and More at This L.A. Auction House|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Already a partial amnesia had taken place, keyed to and triggered by the lessons of the closed classroom.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley
That would give acceleration; minor, not to have triggered an alarm—it should have triggered an alarm—but acceleration.
Where I Wasn't Going|Walt Richmond
He aimed to the windward of the intersecting lines and triggered the nozzle.
The Thirst Quenchers|Rick Raphael
Things seemed to be working too well; his cynical distrust was triggered by fitting so smoothly.
Star Hunter|Andre Alice Norton
He bounded from the chair as though he had triggered a high speed ejection seat in a burning jet.
Brink of Madness|Walter J. Sheldon

British Dictionary definitions for triggered

trigger

/ (ˈtrɪɡə) /

noun

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

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

any event that sets a course of action in motion

verb (tr)

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

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

Derived forms of trigger

triggered, adjectivetriggerless, adjective

Word Origin for trigger

C17 tricker, from Dutch trekker, from trekken to pull; see trek

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with triggered

trigger

In addition to the idiom beginning with trigger

trigger happy

also see:

quick on the draw (trigger)

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trigger