trigger

[ trig-er ]

/ ˈtrɪg ər /

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See synonyms for: trigger / triggered / triggering / triggers 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 catch or spring.

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

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.

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.

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)

to release a trigger.

to become active; activate.

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

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Idioms about trigger

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

Origin of trigger

First recorded in 1615–25; earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, equivalent to trekk(en) “to pull” + -er -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trigger in a sentence

Sky-high valuations in the private market are encouraging more companies like Airbnb and DoorDash to pull the trigger and go public.
IPOs, SPACs, and direct listings: Silicon Valley opens the doors to more investors|matthewheimer|November 20, 2020|Fortune
Spear guns have a trigger and either a track or a barrel to guide the shaft along the length of the gun.
Take a stab at spearfishing with these tips|Same Romano/Outdoor Life|November 16, 2020|Popular-Science
One of the most common misophonia triggers is the sound of chewing.
Please Get Your Noise Out of My Ears (Ep. 439)|Stephen J. Dubner|November 12, 2020|Freakonomics
The trigger, he claimed, was that Spears had been seen driving with her boyfriend to pick up some fast food, even though her conservatorship forbids driving.
Why Britney Spears’s fans are convinced she’s being held captive|Constance Grady|November 11, 2020|Vox

In Miles Morales, the triggers act as a very sensitive rumble, but also give you tactile feedback when you’re swinging, telling you when you’ve made contact and so on.
Review: Sony’s PlayStation 5 is here, but next-generation gaming is still on its way|Devin Coldewey|November 6, 2020|TechCrunch
The ex-chef, accused by Maureen McDonnell of “embezzling” food from the mansion, went to the FBI, triggering its investigation.
Tough-Guy Pols Let Wives Take the Fall, Maureen McDonnell Edition|Eleanor Clift|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But here, Joffrey's death instantly produced the opposite effect, reactivating old antagonisms and triggering new ones.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal Wedding|Andrew Romano|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ensuing hysteria persuaded some parents not to inoculate their kids for fear of triggering autism.
Twitter Crushes Anti-Vaccination Queen Jenny McCarthy|The Daily Beast|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The head movements are capable of triggering a diverse range of “inputs” into a device.
Apple Wants to Make Your Head Into an App|Abby Haglage|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Williams acknowledges that aspects of the series might seem triggering at first, like using the word dirty in the title.
“Dirty 30”: Talking AIDS To The Basketball Wives Set|Hugh Ryan|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then he just kept triggering until the gun was emptied and he had put five slugs fatally into Big Sid's carcass.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Regulation of breeding schedules in birds always involves some exogenous, environmental timing or triggering mechanism.
The Breeding Birds of Kansas|Richard F. Johnston
A couple of minutes before triggering time, I reached over and punched the channel button on operations frequency.
Jack of No Trades|Charles Cottrell
You can see individual neurons triggering right on your monitor.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
The expectation of education or therapeutics gave way to triggering excitement, more obliquely sexual excitement.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for trigger

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with trigger

trigger

In addition to the idiom beginning with trigger

trigger happy

also see:

quick on the draw (trigger)

trigger

Idioms about trigger

Origin of trigger

Words related to trigger

How to use trigger in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trigger

Derived forms of trigger

Word Origin for trigger

Other Idioms and Phrases with trigger