reactivate

Everyday

1. To make something work or become active again after it was stopped or switched off: «reactivate your account». tree →
2. (science) To start a chemical, a volcano, a virus or a process working again. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday computing you reactivate accounts or alarms; in science volcanoes and germs can reactivate; in health, the chickenpox virus can reactivate later as shingles. Phrases: «reactivate an account», «reactivate the alarm», «reactivated volcano».

Examples

• Mum reactivated the burglar alarm before we left. tree →
• You must reactivate your library card every year. tree →
• Scientists think the volcano could reactivate. tree →
• The chickenpox virus can reactivate years later as shingles. tree →
• Click the link to reactivate your account. tree →
• Adding water reactivated the dried yeast. tree →

Note

Prefix re- means «again»: re + activate. Noun: reactivation. Online safety: be careful of scam emails asking you to «reactivate your account» with a link; check with an adult.