trigger

/ˈtɹɪɡə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: triggers · triggering · triggered

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

nhánh gạt điều khiển bằng ngón tay để bắn súng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Just pull the trigger.

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

Meaning · English

A similar device used to activate any mechanism.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

thiết bị tương tự để kích hoạt cơ chế

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To fire (a weapon).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

bắn (vũ khí)

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.

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 4

Meaning · English

To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

gây ra, kích hoạt, dẫn đến

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.

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 “trigger” mean?

A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

Is “trigger” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.