trigger — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

   Examples

   Just pull the trigger.

   More examples (1)

   [W]e pull'd aſide the Tricker, and obſerv'd, that according to our expectation the force of the Spring of the Lock vvas not ſenſibly abated by the abſence of the Air.

2. A similar device used to activate any mechanism.

3. An event that initiates others, or incites a response.

   Examples

   Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.

4. An event that initiates others, or incites a response. Something that triggers an ASMR response.

5. A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.

   Antonyms

   glimmer

   Examples

   emotional trigger

   I can't watch that violent film. Blood is one of my triggers.

6. An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.

7. An electronic transducer allowing a drum, cymbal, etc. to control an electronic drum unit or similar device.

8. A device that manually lengthens (or sometimes shortens) the slide or tubing of a brass instrument, allowing the pitch range to be altered while playing.

9. A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.

10. An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.

11. A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.

    Usage

    • Archaic

12. An argument whose semantic role determines the choice of a verbal affix, in certain Austronesian languages.

Verb

1. To fire (a weapon); to set off or trip (a mechanism or function of a device).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   activatedetonatefireset offtrip

   Examples

   A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.

2. To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   precipitateset offcauseactivateinitiate

   Examples

   The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.

   The accident followed torrential early morning rain that triggered widespread flooding across Scotland's tracks, including south of Carmont.

   More examples (1)

   A 35-year-old woman’s flutter was triggered by increasing the depth of breathing and by (electrical) stimulation of the diaphragm.

3. To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   push someone's buttons

   Examples

   This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.

   People get triggered simply by seeing a Trump.

   More examples (1)

   I encountered a forum user who didn't agree with me, so I wrote some comments with my political slogans to trigger that clueless kiddo.

4. To activate; to become active.

   Usage

   • especially
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   Sodium nitrite (750 ppm) was added after the alarm triggered at three hours, and corrosion did not occur for over eight hours.

Noun

1. lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun

   Synonyms

   gun trigger

   Broader terms

   lever

2. a device that activates or releases or causes something to happen

   Broader terms

   device

3. an act that sets in motion some course of events

   Synonyms

   inductioninitiation

   Broader terms

   causingcausation

Verb

1. put in motion or move to act

   Synonyms

   tripactuateactivateset offspark offsparktrigger offtouch off

   Broader terms

   initiatepioneer

   Examples

   trigger a reaction

   actuate the circuits

2. release or pull the trigger on

   Broader terms

   tripactuateactivateset offspark offsparktrigger offtouch off

   Examples

   Trigger a gun