EnglishLearner.com
  • Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level
    • Beginner exercises
    • Intermediate exercises
    • Advanced exercises
  • Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level+
    • Beginner exercises
    • Intermediate exercises
    • Advanced exercises

Meaning of activate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈæktəˌveɪt/

    US accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce activate in American English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.

    UK accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce activate in British English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.
  1. Verb

    activate

    Definitions

    1. put in motion or move to act

    Examples

    • « trigger a reaction »
    • « actuate the circuits »

    Derived terms

    • act
    • activation
    • actuation
    • actuator
    • human action
    • human activity
    • induction
    • initiation
    • propulsion
    • spark
    • trigger
    • trip
    • tripper
  2. 2. make active or more active

    Examples

    • « activate an old file »

    Antonyms

    • inactivate
    • deactivate

    Derived terms

    • activation
    • activator
  3. 3. make more adsorptive

    Examples

    • « activate a metal »

    Derived terms

    • activation
  4. 4. aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter

    Derived terms

    • activation
    • aerator
    • air
  5. 5. make (substances) radioactive

    Derived terms

    • activation

Famous quotes

  • « For someone who writes fiction, in order to activate the imagination and the unconscious, it's essential to be free. »
    Manuel Puig
  • « In my role as Wikileaks editor, I've been involved in fighting off many legal attacks. To do that, and keep our sources safe, we have had to spread assets, encrypt everything, and move telecommunications and people around the world to activate protective laws in different national jurisdictions. »
    Julian Assange
  • « The different Ministries have to work more on the promotion of the country, to build Kosovo's public image. Concrete projects must be assembled, in order to activate our businessmen to have more contacts. We have to create a positive image about ourselves. »
    Ibrahim Rugova

Browse dictionary

  • Activase
  • Actium
  • Actitis macularia
  • Actitis hypoleucos
  • activate
  • activated
  • activated carbon
  • activated charcoal
  • activating
Copyright © EnglishLearner.com 1998-2021