activate

Everyday

1. To activate something is to make it start working, like a machine, alarm or account. tree →
2. (science) To activate a process or chemical is to make it start or become active. tree →

In the lessons

Used about alarms, cards, accounts, apps, buttons, games and science (yeast is activated by warm water). In instructions: «Press to activate».

Examples

• The smoke activated the fire alarm. tree →
• Press the red button to activate the robot. tree →
• You need to activate your new library card. tree →
• Warm water activates the yeast in bread. tree →
• The trap is activated when someone steps on it. tree →
• Sunlight activates the solar lamp. tree →
• The hero activated the shield just in time. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: «activation». Opposite: «deactivate», «switch off». More formal than «turn on» or «start».