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triggers

  • plural
    of trigger.
    trigger
    noun
    a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.
  • present tense form
    of trigger (3rd person singular).
    trigger
    noun
    a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The designation under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act tracks unexpected die-offs and triggers investigation.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Possible triggers include growing amounts of meltwater entering the ocean from polar regions as well as global warming itself.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Once the audience gets past their disorientation, the slapstick triggers enough silly goodwill that my auditorium squeezed out generous spurts of applause.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

But trauma triggers can be an issue when conception happens outside a clinic, in the context of a loving relationship—and they can be scary to deal with.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

There were two specific triggers that encouraged Copernicus to come up with something better than the Ptolemaic model.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin