activate
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: activates · activating · activated
Sense 1
To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “activate” mean?
To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.
Is “activate” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.