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activate [ak-tuh-veyt] SynonymsWord Origin verb (used with object), ac·ti·vat·ed, ac·ti·vat·ing.
- to make active; cause to function or act.
- Physics.
- to render more reactive; excite: to activate a molecule.
- to induce radioactivity.
- to aerate (sewage) in order to accelerate decomposition of impure organic matter by microorganisms.
- Chemistry.
- to make (carbon, a catalyst, molecules, etc.) more active.
- to hasten (reactions) by various means, as heating.
- to place (a military unit or station) on an active status in an assigned capacity.
Origin of activate First recorded in 1620–30; active + -ate1 Related formsac·ti·va·tion, nounnon·ac·ti·va·tion, nouno·ver·ac·ti·vate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ac·ti·vat·ed, o·ver·ac·ti·vat·ing.su·per·ac·ti·vate, verb (used with object), su·per·ac·ti·vat·ed, su·per·ac·ti·vat·ing.un·ac·ti·vat·ed, adjectiveCan be confusedactivate actuate stimulateSynonyms for activate 1. actuate, start, turn on, set going.Antonyms for activate 1. stop, halt, check. British Dictionary definitions for unactivated activate verb (tr)
- to make active or capable of action
- physics to make radioactive
- chem
- to increase the rate of (a reaction)
- to treat (a substance, such as carbon or alumina) so as to increase powers of adsorption
- physiol to prepare by arousal (the body or one of its organs (e.g. the brain)) for action
- to purify (sewage) by aeration
- US military to create, mobilize, or organize (a unit)
Derived Formsactivation, nounactivator, noun Word Origin and History for unactivated activate v.
1620s; see active + -ate (2). Related: Activated; activating.