ac·ti·vate

[ak-tuh-veyt]
verb (used with object), ac·ti·vat·ed, ac·ti·vat·ing.
1.
to make active; cause to function or act.
2.
Physics.
a.
to render more reactive; excite: to activate a molecule.
b.
to induce radioactivity.
3.
to aerate (sewage) in order to accelerate decomposition of impure organic matter by microorganisms.
4.
Chemistry.
a.
to make (carbon, a catalyst, molecules, etc.) more active.
b.
to hasten (reactions) by various means, as heating.
5.
to place (a military unit or station) on an active status in an assigned capacity.

Origin:
1620–30; active + -ate1

ac·ti·va·tion, noun
non·ac·ti·va·tion, noun
o·ver·ac·ti·vate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ac·ti·vat·ed, o·ver·ac·ti·vat·ing.
su·per·ac·ti·vate, verb (used with object), su·per·ac·ti·vat·ed, su·per·ac·ti·vat·ing.
un·ac·ti·vat·ed, adjective

activate, actuate, stimulate.


1. actuate, start, turn on, set going.


1. stop, halt, check.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To activate
00:10
Activate is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Collins
World English Dictionary
activate (ˈæktɪˌveɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to make active or capable of action
2.  physics to make radioactive
3.  chem
 a.  to increase the rate of (a reaction)
 b.  to treat (a substance, such as carbon or alumina) so as to increase powers of adsorption
4.  physiol to prepare by arousal (the body or one of its organs (e.g. the brain)) for action
5.  to purify (sewage) by aeration
6.  (US) military to create, mobilize, or organize (a unit)
 
acti'vation
 
n
 
'activator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Example sentences
Activate the camera's zoom function to capture tight shots and close ups, then
  share your movies easily with your loved ones.
Researchers start by coaxing cells in culture to activate bitter-taste
  receptors.
Bioengineers have long understood how to manipulate genes to function as
  switches that activate other genes.
All these things should activate with a modest temperature increase.
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