activate

English

Etymology

Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-
Proto-Indo-European *-eti
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti
Proto-Italic *agō
Latin agō
Proto-Indo-European *-wós
Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder.
Latin -īvus
▲
Ancient Greek ἐνεργητικός (energētikós)sl.
Latin āctīvuslbor.
Old French actifbor.
Middle English actyf
English active
Proto-Indo-European *-h₂
Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂
Proto-Indo-European *-tós
Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos
Proto-Italic *-ātos
Latin -ātuslbor.
English -ate
English activate

    From active + -ate.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /ˈæktɪˌveɪt/
    • Audio (US):(file)

    Verb

    activate (third-person singular simple present activates, present participle activating, simple past and past participle activated)

    1. (transitive) To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.
      activate the economy
    2. (transitive) To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.
      The pranksters activated the fire alarm by spraying deodorant next to it.
    3. (transitive, chemistry, physics) To render more reactive; excite.
    4. (transitive, biology) To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function.
    5. (transitive, physics) To render a substance radioactive.
    6. (transitive, chemistry) To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating.
    7. (transitive, computing, software) To remove the limitations of demoware by providing a license; to unlock.
    8. (transitive) To aerate in order to aid decomposition of organic matter.
    9. (transitive, military) To organize or create a military unit or station.
      A new squadron was activated.
    10. (transitive, sports) To bring a player back after an injury.
    11. (intransitive) To enter an active state.
      The burglar alarm activates automatically.

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

    Translations

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    Translations to be checked

    Anagrams

    Spanish

    Verb

    activate

    1. second-person singular voseo imperative of activar combined with te
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