Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense triggers, present participle triggering, past tense, past participle triggered
1. countable noun
The trigger of a gun is a small lever which you pull to fire it.
A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.
2. countable noun [oft NOUN noun]
The trigger of a bomb is the device which causes it to explode.
...trigger devices for nuclear weapons.
3. verb
To trigger a bomb or system means to cause it to work.
The thieves must have deliberately triggered the alarm and hidden inside the house. [VERB noun]
The one thousand pound bomb was triggered by a wire. [VERB noun]
...nuclear triggering devices. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: set off, trip, activate, set going More Synonyms of trigger
4. verb
If something triggers an event or situation, it causes it to begin to happen or exist.
...the incident which triggered the outbreak of the First World War. [VERB noun]
The current recession was triggered by a slump in consumer spending. [VERB noun]
Even a problem as simple as a bad back often has an underlying triggering factor. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: bring about, start, cause, produce More Synonyms of trigger
Trigger off means the same as trigger.
It is still not clear what events triggered off the demonstrations. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
5. countable noun
If something acts as a triggerfor another thing such as an illness, event, or situation, the first thing causes the second thing to begin to happen or exist.
Stress may act as a trigger for these illnesses. [+ for]
6. verb
If something triggers someone, it causes them to have an extreme reaction of fear, upset, or anger, especially because they remember a traumatic experience.
Something obviously triggered her because she started screaming. [VERB noun]
7. countable noun
Someone's triggers are things that can cause them to have an extreme reaction of fear, upset, or anger,especially because they remembering a traumatic experience.
You need to understand what your triggers are, for example loud noises.
trigger in British English
(ˈtrɪɡə)
noun
1.
a small projecting lever that activates the firing mechanism of a firearm
2. machinery
a device that releases a spring-loaded mechanism or a similar arrangement
3.
any event that sets a course of action in motion
verb(transitive)
4. (usually foll by off)
to give rise (to); set off
5.
to fire or set in motion by or as by pulling a trigger
6.
to cause (a person) to relive a traumatic experience
Derived forms
triggered (ˈtriggered)
adjective
triggerless (ˈtriggerless)
adjective
Word origin
C17 tricker, from Dutch trekker, from trekken to pull; see trek
trigger in American English
(ˈtrɪgər)
noun
1.
a small lever or part which when pulled or pressed releases a catch, spring, etc.
2.
in firearms, a small lever pressed back by the finger to activate the firing mechanism
3.
an act, impulse, etc. that initiates an action, series of events, etc.
verb transitive
4.
to fire or activate by pulling or pressing a trigger
5.
to initiate (an action); set off
the fight that triggered the riot
Idioms:
quick on the trigger
Word origin
earlier tricker < Du trekker < trekken, to draw, pull: see trek
Examples of 'trigger' in a sentence
trigger
They argue there is no evidence to suggest they would trigger another financial crisis.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is certainly not sufficient to trigger many alarms, he added.
Computing (2010)
A dramatic change in the weather is set to trigger gales through February.
The Sun (2017)
The crude wooden peg had been used as a makeshift trigger to set off the deadly device.
The Sun (2008)
Those triggering causes would not have provoked anything unless there had been something there to provoke.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
This triggers a mechanism which drops the doors down at the end of the tube.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Sometimes when a person is vulnerable for psychiatric reasons some relatively mundane thing triggers enormous resentment.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This would normally trigger another control unit to fly the plane automatically.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You then need to determine what score will be the trigger point for action.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The move could trigger similar schemes being adopted across the country in other large towns and cities.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Try to remember what triggered your first panic attack.
The Sun (2011)
Cast your mind back and think about what else may have triggered this sudden set of fears.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This will help identify personal triggers that cause symptoms.
The Sun (2015)
The move will trigger another referendum on the issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
No single power can take the chance of triggering actions by the other two.
Maurice D. Levi International Finance: The markets and financial management of multinational business. (1983)
If you carry and use a knife it is no different from pulling the trigger of a gun at close quarters.
The Sun (2008)
Trigger mechanisms for them are visible, showing they are ready to fire.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
trigger
Legendary/fictional/historical horses
In other languages
trigger
British English: trigger NOUN
The trigger of a gun is a small lever which you pull to fire it.
A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger.
American English: trigger
Brazilian Portuguese: gatilho
Chinese: 扳机
European Spanish: gatillo
French: gâchette
German: Abzug
Italian: grilletto
Japanese: 引き金
Korean: 방아쇠
European Portuguese: gatilho
Latin American Spanish: gatillo
British English: trigger VERB
To trigger a bomb or system means to cause it to work.
The thieves must have deliberately triggered the alarm and hidden inside the house.
American English: trigger
Brazilian Portuguese: desencadear
Chinese: 启动
European Spanish: desencadenar
French: déclencher
German: auslösen
Italian: innescare
Japanese: 引き金となる
Korean: 촉발시키다
European Portuguese: desencadear
Latin American Spanish: desencadenar
All related terms of 'trigger'
hair trigger
If you describe something as hair-trigger , you mean that it is likely to change very violently and suddenly .
trigger guard
a loop round a trigger , which prevents the gun being fired accidentally
trigger-happy
If you describe someone as trigger-happy , you disapprove of them because they are too ready and willing to use violence and weapons, especially guns .
trigger plant
any of several small grasslike plants of the genus Stylidium , having sensitive stamens that are erected when disturbed : family Stylidiaceae
trigger price
if a commodity reaches a trigger price , its price, or the conditions governing its sale are changed; a price at which certain consequences ensue
trigger word
a word that initiates a process or course of action
Schmitt trigger
a bistable circuit that gives a constant output when the input voltage is above a specified value
trigger finger
the finger a shooter or gunman uses to pull the trigger
trigger warning
A trigger warning is a warning before something such as a film or piece of writing that warns that it may particularly upset some people, especially people who have had a traumatic experience.
trigger mechanism
a physiological or psychological process caused by a stimulus and resulting in a usually severe reaction
trigger memories
A memory is something that you remember from the past.
trigger a backlash
A backlash against a tendency or recent development in society or politics , is a sudden, strong reaction against it.
trigger a crisis
A crisis is a situation in which something or someone is affected by one or more very serious problems .
trigger an alarm
An alarm is an automatic device that warns you of danger , for example by ringing a bell .
trigger an attack
An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it.
trigger a reaction
Your reaction to something that has happened or something that you have experienced is what you feel , say , or do because of it.
trigger an election
An election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position.
quick on the trigger
quick to fire a gun
Chinese translation of 'trigger'
trigger
(ˈtrɪɡəʳ)
n(c)
[of gun]扳机(機) (bānjī) (个(個), gè)
[of bomb]导(導)火索 (dǎohuǒsuǒ) (个(個), gè)
(= cause) 诱(誘)因 (yòuyīn) (个(個), gè)
vt
[alarm, bomb]启(啟)动(動) (qǐdòng)
[reaction, riot] (also trigger off) 引发(發) (yǐnfā)
1 (verb)
Definition
to set (an action or process) in motion
the incident which triggered the outbreak of the First World War
Synonyms
bring about
start
Who started the fight?
cause
I don't want to cause any trouble.
produce
Cooking with spices produces a wonderful smell.
generate
The minister said the reforms would generate new jobs.
prompt
The recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.
provoke
His comments have provoked a shocked reaction.
set off
It set off a storm of speculation.
activate
give rise to
elicit
He was hopeful that his request would elicit a positive response.
spark off
set in motion
Opposites
stop
,
bar
,
block
,
prevent
,
inhibit
, hinder,
repress
,
obstruct
,
impede
2 (verb)
Definition
to set (an action or process) in motion
The thieves must have triggered the alarm.
Synonyms
set off
trip
He set the timer, then tripped the switch.
activate
video cameras that can be activated by computer
set going
Additional synonyms
in the sense of activate
Definition
to make something active
video cameras that can be activated by computer
Synonyms
start,
move,
trigger (off),
stimulate,
turn on,
set off,
initiate,
switch on,
propel,
rouse,
prod,
get going,
mobilize,
kick-start (informal),
set in motion,
impel,
galvanize,
set going,
actuate,
prompt,
stir,
motivate,
arouse,
animate,
energize
in the sense of cause
Definition
to be the cause of
I don't want to cause any trouble.
Synonyms
produce,
begin,
create,
effect,
lead to,
occasion (formal),
result in,
generate,
provoke,
compel,
motivate,
induce,
bring about,
give rise to,
precipitate,
incite,
engender
in the sense of elicit
Definition
to bring about (a response or reaction)
He was hopeful that his request would elicit a positive response.
Synonyms
bring about,
cause,
derive,
bring out,
evoke,
give rise to,
draw out,
bring forth,
bring to light,
call forth
Synonyms of 'trigger'
trigger
Explore 'trigger' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of generate
Definition
to produce or create
The minister said the reforms would generate new jobs.
Synonyms
produce,
create,
make,
form,
cause,
initiate,
bring about,
originate,
give rise to,
engender,
whip up
in the sense of produce
Definition
to bring (something) into existence
Cooking with spices produces a wonderful smell.
Synonyms
cause,
lead to,
result in,
effect,
occasion (formal),
generate,
trigger,
make for,
provoke,
set off,
induce,
bring about,
give rise to,
engender
in the sense of prompt
Definition
to motivate or cause someone to do something
The recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.