activate
verb
ac·ti·vate
ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
activated; activating
: to make active or more active: such as
a(1)
: to make (something, such as a molecule) reactive or more reactive
(2)
: to convert (something, such as a provitamin) into a biologically active derivative
b
: to make (a substance) radioactive
c
: to treat (a substance, such as carbon or alumina) so as to improve adsorptive properties
d(1)
: to set up or formally institute (an organized group, such as a military unit) with the necessary personnel and equipment
(2)
: to put (an individual or unit) on active duty
: to become active
Examples of activate in a Sentence
Touch the screen to activate the system.
activate and then deactivate a mechanism
The camera is activated by pushing a button.
The bomb was activated by remote control.
Sunlight activates a chemical reaction in the plant's leaves.
vitamins that activate the growth of new cells
The President has activated the reserves.
Recent Examples on the Web
The strength of the effect can be adjusted to suit the user's needs too, and it can also be set to activate only for specific apps or when a password is entered.
—
Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Pillai said on Monday that the agency had activated its Emergency Operations Center through its country offices in the DRC and in Uganda, and is deploying technical experts that have been requested from Atlanta headquarters.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 20 May 2026
To activate your entry, during the entry period, buy one of six new specialty drinks – Dirty Dr Pepper, Orange Dream, Sprite Berry Blast, Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher, Strawberry Watermelon Refresher or Mango Pineapple Refresher.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
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Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Pillai said on Monday that the agency had activated its Emergency Operations Center through its country offices in the DRC and in Uganda, and is deploying technical experts that have been requested from Atlanta headquarters.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 20 May 2026
To activate your entry, during the entry period, buy one of six new specialty drinks – Dirty Dr Pepper, Orange Dream, Sprite Berry Blast, Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher, Strawberry Watermelon Refresher or Mango Pineapple Refresher.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for activate
Cite this Entry
“Activate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
activate
verb
ac·ti·vate
ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
activated; activating
1
: to make active
2
: to make (as molecules) more chemically active
3
: to make (a substance) give off radioactive particles, give off light at low temperatures, be easily affected by light, or carry an electric charge under the influence of light or other electromagnetic radiation
4
: to treat (as carbon or alumina) so as to improve the amount of adsorption
5
: to place on active military duty
activate the reserves
Medical Definition
activate
transitive verb
ac·ti·vate
ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
activated; activating
: to make active or more active: as
a
: to convert into a biologically active derivative or form
activated plasminogen
b
: to make biologically or molecularly active
activate protein synthesis
The [spinal] cord also contains neuronal circuits … that can be activated by incoming sensory signals without input from the brain …—John W. McDonald et al., Scientific American
John W. McDonald et al., Scientific American
c
: to make (a substance) radioactive
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