activate
verb (transitive)
UKˈæk.tɪ.veɪtUSˈæk.tə.veɪt
to make something start working or functioning; to cause something to act or operate
Example Sentences
Press the button to activate the device.
They plan to activate the new security system by the end of the week.
Exercise can help activate certain hormones that improve mood and overall well-being.
The technician needed special software to activate all the features of the program.
Scientists discovered that ultraviolet light can activate the chemical reaction more efficiently than heat alone.
In an emergency situation, first responders must activate their training immediately, relying on pre-established protocols to guide their actions and save lives.
After months of designing and refining the prototype, the engineering team was thrilled to finally activate the machine for its initial test run, demonstrating the culmination of their collective expertise and diligence.
When you activate your membership, you’ll gain access to exclusive resources, including premium tutorials, expert consultations, and invitations to members-only events.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To make something start working, become operational, or come alive.Used as a verb, “activate” signifies enabling, turning on, or setting in motion. You might activate a device like a phone or computer by powering it up, or activate a process—such as initiating a chemical reaction by adding a catalyst. In everyday life, it could be as simple as pushing a button to activate a machine, or scanning a code to enable a new service. When you say you’re activating something, it implies that the object or system was dormant or inactive before. You bring it into play by performing an action or meeting specific conditions. In scientific or technical contexts, “activate” might refer to initiating a chain reaction—like enzymes in biology that catalyze reactions, or safety features in machinery that are triggered by sensors. In a more figurative sense, you might activate a new behavior or habit, setting it in motion within your daily routine.In writing, “activate” works well to describe the transition from passive to operational. Whether discussing a marketing campaign (“We activated our social media strategy with targeted ads”) or a security system (“Once the alarm is activated, any unauthorized entry triggers an alert”), this verb emphasizes the moment something is switched on or set into motion. When using “activate,” consider the subject (who or what does the activating) and the object (what is being activated), to clearly convey the shift from inactive to active mode.
Alternatives
Depending on your context, synonyms or related expressions may better fit your desired tone. “Enable” often suggests granting functionality or access—for example, toggling a feature on in an application. “Trigger” highlights the cause-and-effect mechanism: an event that starts a process. “Power up” or “turn on” typically appear in casual contexts—like powering up a device.For a more formal or technical sense, “initiate” or “engage” can be apt. “Initiate” underscores beginning a process or sequence, while “engage” focuses on actively involving or locking something into a function. In creative writing or metaphorical contexts, “awaken” can lend a dramatic flair—implying that a dormant force is being stirred to life. Each term carries its own connotation, so choose the one that lines up with whether you’re discussing a device, system, habit, or more abstract concept of starting something new.
Writing
In writing, “activate” lends a dynamic, direct tone, indicating the moment of switching on or catalyzing a change. It works particularly well in instructions, how-to guides, or procedural steps: “Press this button to activate the cleaning cycle.” In business or marketing documents, you might describe activating a campaign, partnership, or initiative to convey intentionality and immediate action.If you’re covering scientific or industrial processes, “activate” neatly captures the start of a reaction—like activating a chemical substance or an enzyme. In more narrative-driven or creative texts, “activate” can become metaphorical, hinting at the awakening of feelings, skills, or hidden potential. In such cases, you might say, “The crisis activated her survival instincts,” suggesting that those instincts lay dormant until triggered by circumstances.Pairing “activate” with a clear explanation of the mechanism or reason behind it ensures clarity. Who or what is doing the activating, and by what means? For instance, “Sensors in the door activate the locking mechanism” clarifies both the cause (sensors) and the effect (locking mechanism). This level of detail helps your writing maintain precision and readability, showing readers exactly how and why something shifts from idle to active.
Casual Conversation
In daily conversation, “activate” usually means to switch something on or get it going. You might say, “I need to activate my new credit card,” meaning you have to complete a step or call a number before it’s ready to use. Similarly, if you’re talking about fitness, you could remark, “I’m trying to activate my core muscles,” referring to engaging them during exercise.Friends might say, “Don’t forget to activate your phone’s Wi-Fi,” pointing out an easy step to enable a feature. Though it can sound slightly technical, “activate” is still common in everyday speech where something has a dormant function that needs triggering. If you want to sound a bit more casual, “turn on,” “switch on,” or “start up” are suitable substitutes—but “activate” stands out as purposeful, hinting that a system or function was specifically designed to come online after a certain step is taken.When using “activate” offhand, you’re emphasizing that there’s an intended function in place, waiting for you to flip the switch. That could be a literal gadget or a figurative mechanism—like stirring motivation. It’s handy for any scenario in which something doesn’t happen automatically but instead depends on a deliberate action or prerequisite event to get it going.
Etymology
The English verb “activate” comes from the Latin root “activus,” meaning “active,” which is itself derived from “agere,” meaning “to do or drive.” It reflects the idea of spurring something into motion or operation. The modern form became widely used during the industrial and technological expansion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as more devices and processes required a clear term to describe the act of turning them on or energizing them.Historically, “activate” aligned with the growing need to differentiate between passive and active states in both machinery and chemistry. Over time, fields like engineering, physics, and later computing helped popularize it. As technology and science advanced, “activate” evolved to include abstract uses—like emotional activation or starting policies. Despite its relatively modern prominence, it still hews closely to the Latin sense of setting something in motion, bridging centuries of development in language, society, and innovation.
