verb

activate

AK-tih-vayt

verb

To make something start working or become active.

"Press the button to activate the alarm system."

"The new phone must be activated before you can make calls."

To make a chemical or biological process more reactive or effective.

"Warm water helps activate the yeast in the dough."

How to Use Activate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo switch something on or set it in motion, whether it's a device, an account, or a chemical reaction.

Common pairings

activate an account activate the alarm activate yeast

activated past tense, activates singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Press the button to _____ the alarm system.

From active plus the verb-forming suffix -ate.

actuate enable get going set going set in motion set off spur start stimulate trigger turn on

deactivate inactivate

offset close finish begin leave quit run stimulate

ate date rate mate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate

actuate enable get going set going set in motion set off spur start stimulate trigger turn on deactivate