activate

verb

(transitive) To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.

(transitive) To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.

(transitive, computing, software) To remove the limitations of demoware by providing a license; to unlock.

(transitive, chemistry, physics) To render more reactive; excite.

(transitive, biology) To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function.

(transitive, chemistry) To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating.

(transitive, physics) To render a substance radioactive.

(transitive, military) To organize or create a military unit or station.

(transitive, sports) To bring a player back after an injury.

(transitive) To aerate in order to aid decomposition of organic matter.

Roots

agoact- · Latin · do, drive

Synonyms for activate

reactivatev actuatev triggerv initiatev stimulatev awakenv mobilizev

Synonyms & related words for activate

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of activate — including reactivate, actuate, trigger, initiate, stimulate, awaken. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to activate

Explore words related to activate — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include activation, deactivate, activator, disable, inactivate, reactivation, disenable, deactivation. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for activate

Common synonyms for activate include reactivate, actuate, trigger, initiate, stimulate, awaken, mobilize — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does activate come from?

The word activate breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root act-, from Latin ago (“do, drive”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.