Activate
/ˈæktɪveɪt/
verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
To start or put into action.
/ˈæktɪveɪt/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To make something active or operational.
The button activates the alarm.
💡 Simply: To turn something on or make it start working.
More Examples
2
She activated her emergency contact.
How It's Used
Technology
"To activate the software, click the icon."
Biology
"The enzyme activated the metabolic pathway."
Idioms & expressions
activate a plan
To put a plan into action.
"The CEO activated the marketing plan."
From Latin 'activāre' (to make active), from 'activus' (active).
The word has seen consistent use across various fields, with its technological applications becoming more prevalent in recent times.
Memory tip
Think of 'act' – to do something; activate means to make something 'act'.
Practice
Base: active
activatactivateeactivite
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written