activate

Word family

ac·tiv·ate /ˈæktɪveɪt/ verb [transitiveT] technical

SWITCH ON OR OFFto make an electrical system or chemical process start working 激活，使活动；使活化 OPP deactivate

Cooking fumes may activate the alarm.

烹调时的油烟可能会触发警报器。

The yeast’s growth is activated by sugar and warmth.

糖分和温暖的环境会激发酵母菌的生长。

—activation /ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/ noun [uncountableU]

In everyday English, people usually use set off rather than activate when talking about electrical systems: 在日常英语中表示触动电器，人们一般用set off，而不用activate

Someone has set off the smoke alarm again.

有人再次触响了烟雾警报器。

Examples from the Corpus

activate• The bomb's firing mechanism is activated by a time-clock.• The manufacture of chlorophyll in plants is activated by sunlight.• The process is activated by sunlight.• Melanin producing cells in our bodies are activated by ultraviolet light from the sun and can have a protective effect.• In certain rare circumstances, these vaccines could activate disease.• To be completely safe, he activated his automatic call-signal which would be picked up on the ground.• The different ways in which superantigens activate T cells casts light on the pathogenesis of infectious disease.• The stun gun was applied to parts of her naked body and activated, the jury was told.• The smoke activated the sprinkler system.• Then, their ears protected against the piercing whine, they activated the suction pump.• Room keys activate the temperature controls and turn on an entry light, so guests never enter a dark room.• Baking powder contains its own built-in acid, so it can be activated with just heat and liquid.

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus

TOEFL IELTS BNC: 4543 COCA: 6113

activate