trigger
noun
a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.
Used to describe an action that will be fully completed or achieved by a specific point in the future.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For some people who have been bereaved before, the duke's death will have triggered feelings of grief they might have felt for a family member or friend.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2021