ac·ti·vate [ áktə vàyt ](past and past participleac·ti·vat·ed, present participleac·ti·vat·ing, 3rd person present singularac·ti·vates)
verb
Definition:
1. transitive and intransitive verb make something capable of action: to make something active or operational, or become active or operational Any sound in the room will activate the alarm. The detonator will activate in 30 seconds.
2. transitive verb U.S. military mobilize military: to set up or mobilize a military unit activate the National Guard
3. transitive verb physics make something radioactive: to make a substance radioactive
4. transitive verb chemistry make something reactive: to increase the rate of a chemical reaction, e.g. by applying heat
5. transitive verb chemistry increase power of adsorption of something: to treat a substance such as charcoal so as to increase its capacity for adsorption
6. transitive verb industry purify sewage with air: to purify sewage by aerating it
