ac
ti
vate
Third Person
activates
Present Participle
activating
Past Tense
activated
Past Participle
activated
1
to make something such as a process, piece of equipment, etc. start working
transitive
- He activated the alarm system before leaving the house.
- The technician activated the newly installed software on the computer.
- She activated the sprinkler system to water the garden.
- They are activating the emergency generator as we speak.
- The manager activated the emergency protocol to evacuate the building.
2
to stimulate or promote growth, activity, or action in something
transitive
- She activated her metabolism by exercising regularly.
- The new policy activated the economy, leading to increased job creation.
- The medication is designed to activate the immune system's response.
- They activated the program to boost student engagement in learning activities.
- The hormones activated the plant's growth during the spring.
Antonyms:
3
(physics) to make a substance radioactive
transitive
- Scientists can activate certain materials to make them radioactive for research purposes.
- To activate the sample, the scientists placed it in a reactor.
- Activating materials can help in studying their properties in a radioactive state.
- Safety measures are important when activating substances to prevent exposure.
4
to add air to organic matter to speed up its breakdown process
transitive
- The farmer activated the manure heap with a tool designed to mix in air.
- Activating the compost regularly helps speed up the decomposition process.
- The machine was used to activate the organic material by pumping air into it.
- She activated the pile by turning it over to improve oxygen circulation.
- The decomposition process accelerated after they activated the compost heap.
Synonyms:
5
to process a substance to enhance its ability to absorb materials
transitive
- The scientists activated the carbon to make it more effective in filtering water.
- The process of activating carbon involves removing impurities to improve adsorption.
- Before using it in the lab, they activated the carbon to ensure maximum efficiency.
- They activated the alumina by heating it to increase its adsorptive capacity.
- The team activated the filter material to improve its ability to trap contaminants.