deactivate

Everyday

1. To deactivate something is to turn it off or stop it from working. tree →
2. To deactivate an account is to close it or pause it so it cannot be used. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and computing: deactivate an alarm, deactivate a social media account. In action stories, heroes deactivate bombs or traps. In science, heat can deactivate some substances, like germs or enzymes. Opposite: activate.

Examples

• Mum deactivated the burglar alarm when we got home. tree →
• The agent had ten seconds to deactivate the bomb. tree →
• You can deactivate your account in the settings. tree →
• The robot was deactivated for the night. tree →
• Cooking deactivates many germs in food. tree →
• Don't deactivate the smoke alarm — it keeps you safe. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: deactivation. Prefix «de-» means undo, as in defrost, decode. Opposite: activate.