Activate meaning

What does “activate” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“activate” is a verb with 5 meanings. Its most common meaning is: put in motion or move to act.

activate

put in motion or move to act
“trigger a reaction”
“actuate the circuits”
Synonymstrip actuate trigger set off spark off spark trigger off touch off
make active or more active
“activate an old file”
Oppositesinactivate
make more adsorptive
“activate a metal”
aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter
Synonymsaerate
make (substances) radioactive

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University