trigger

USTRIG-ur/ˈtɹɪɡɚ/UKTRIG-uh/ˈtɹɪɡə/

15 meanings of trigger

1
nouncountable
A small lever you pull with your finger to fire a gun.
Like the button you press to make something happen: but here it fires the gun.
She kept her finger off the trigger until she was ready to shoot.
He pulled the trigger and the gun went off.
Note
2
nouncountable
An event that makes other things start to happen.
Like the first domino that knocks down all the others.
The factory closing was the trigger for months of protests.
A small argument became the trigger for their breakup.
Similarcatalyst, spark, cause, impetus, stimulus
3
verbtransitive
To make something start to happen.
Like flipping a switch that starts a machine running.
The news triggered a wave of panic buying.
Heavy rain can trigger floods in low areas.
Similarcause, initiate, precipitate, activate
4
nouncountable
Something that brings back a painful memory or causes a strong reaction.
Like a song that suddenly makes you remember a sad day.
Loud fireworks can be a trigger for some war veterans.
The smell of smoke was a trigger that brought back the accident.
Similarstressor, stimulus, cue
Note
5
verbfigurativelytransitive
To cause a strong feeling, often a bad one, in someone.
Like poking a sore spot that makes someone hurt again.
The photo triggered him and he had to leave the room.
Certain words can trigger her without warning.
Similarupset, distress, provoke, disturb
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6
nouncountable
An idea or picture that upsets someone and causes bad feelings.
Like a sad photo you don't want to look at.
For her, the old house was a trigger she tried to avoid.
The violent scene became a trigger for several readers.
Note
7
nouncountable
A lever or switch that sets a machine or device working.
Like a button that turns a toy on.
Pressing the trigger started the spray of water.
The alarm has a trigger that sets it off when a door opens.
8
verbtransitive
To fire a gun or weapon.
Like pressing a button to set off a firework.
He triggered the rifle and hit the target.
She was afraid to trigger the gun.
Similarfire, activate, detonate
9
verbintransitive
To switch on or start working.
Like a light that turns on by itself when you walk past.
The alarm triggered as soon as the smoke spread.
The sensor will trigger if anything moves nearby.
Similaractivate, engage, fire, trip
Oppositedeactivate
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10
nouncountable
A short electrical signal that starts part of a circuit working.
Like a knock on the door that tells someone to come in.
The chip waits for a trigger before it sends data.
A single trigger started the whole sequence.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It was first spelled 'tricker'. It comes from the Dutch word 'trekker', meaning a pull, from 'trekken', to pull or drag.