Definition of trigger - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
initiate actioncause to start or happen
- The loud noise triggered an alarm..
2.
technologyactivate a device or system
- The alarm was triggered by a power surge.
3.
emotioncause an emotional reaction
- The movie triggered memories of his childhood.
4.
firearmsRare cause a weapon to fireRare
- He triggered the gun accidentally.
Noun
1.
mechanicsdevice that activates a mechanism
- He gently pulled the trigger of the gun..
2.
initiatorRare event or situation that initiates a reactionRare
- A loud noise was the trigger for the alarm..
3.
firearmsRare lever that activates a gun's firing mechanismRare
- He pulled the trigger to fire the gun.
4.
psychologyRare stimulus causing a traumatic memory or reactionRare
- Loud noises can be a trigger for veterans.
5.
databasesTECH. SQL procedure initiated by record changesTECH.
- The trigger updated the database automatically.
Adjective
1.
psychologycausing a strong emotional reaction
- The movie had a trigger effect on the audience.
2.
initiatingRare related to something that initiatesRare
- The trigger mechanism is essential for the device to function.
Images of trigger

device that activates a mechanism 
lever that activates a gun's firing mechanism
Expressions with trigger
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
statement alerting to potentially distressing content
The article included a trigger warning for graphic descriptions.
cause something to start or happen
The loud noise triggered off the alarm system..
fire a gun by pulling the trigger
He hesitated before he pulled the trigger.
trigger finger eager to fire a weapon
The soldier had an itchy trigger finger during the standoff.
press the trigger of a gun
He squeezed the trigger and the gun fired.
eager to take action or make a decision
His trigger finger's itching to start the project.
feeling eager or impatient to take action
His trigger finger itches whenever there's an argument.
something that starts a process or reaction
The news acted as a gun trigger for protests.
easily angered or upset by small things
He has a hair-trigger temper that flares up quickly.
quick to use or activate something, especially weapons
The officer was criticized for being trigger-happy during the arrest..
cause a large mass of snow to slide down
The loud noise could trigger an avalanche in the mountains.
event causing a strong reaction or action
The protest was the trigger point for change.
word causing strong emotional reaction
Hearing the trigger word made her upset.
feel very eager to act quickly or aggressively
He has an itchy trigger finger when making decisions.
finger used to pull a firearm's trigger
He aimed carefully with his trigger finger ready.
specified price level that activates a particular automatic action or rule
The sell order executes when the stock hits the trigger price.
price-setting method that changes rates when chosen market signals occur
The retailer used trigger pricing to raise rates when demand suddenly spiked.
mechanism for parents to demand school reforms
Parents used the parent trigger to push for better school facilities.
comparator circuit with hysteresis for signal conversion
The Schmitt trigger converts the analog signal to digital.
electronic circuit that sends a control signal to start another circuit
The camera flash relies on a trigger circuit to fire at the right moment.
metal or plastic frame around the trigger of a firearm
He carefully cleaned the trigger guard of his rifle..
law inactive until a specific event occurs
The trigger law will activate if the court ruling changes.
plant with sensitive stamens reacting to touch
The trigger plant's stamens moved when touched.
Origin of trigger
Dutch, trekken (to pull)
Terms with trigger included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
trigger
button that triggers an important action
memory
trigger a memory or recognition
jealousy trigger
object that causes envious feelings
hardship trigger
specific cause of suffering or distress
event
spark off or trigger an event
memory recognition
sound familiar or trigger a vague memory
trigger
cause a trap to close suddenly
trigger
initiating or triggering a reaction
biology trigger
factor or agent leading to death
trigger
cause an explosive device to explode
safety
device sensing heat to trigger an alarm
warning
trigger a warning signal
trigger thought
cause someone to start thinking about something
trigger emotion
trigger an emotional response
thinking
trigger an idea or memory
weapon
firearm that reloads itself and fires automatically while trigger is held
trigger
something that starts a process or reaction
trigger
something that triggers excitement or anger
reaction
trigger a powerful reaction
firearms
firing continuously while the trigger is pressed
trigger event
initiate an event in software
weapon
hammer of a firearm trigger mechanism
photography
flexible wire used to trigger a camera from a distance
weapon
self-loading but fires one shot per trigger pull
Examples of trigger in a sentence
His actions triggered a series of unexpected events. The system will trigger the sprinklers if smoke is detected. A sensor can trigger the lights to turn on. The song triggered a wave of nostalgia. His words triggered an unexpected anger in her. The soldier triggered the rifle with precision.
She triggered the alarm to alert the guards. The bomb's trigger was faulty. She pressed the trigger of the toy gun. Stress can be a trigger for migraines. The smell of smoke was a trigger for his anxiety. The trigger was sensitive and required careful handling. She examined the trigger mechanism of the antique rifle. Certain smells can be a trigger for her anxiety. Seeing the ocean was a trigger for his childhood memories. A trigger fired when the data was inserted. The trigger executed a series of complex operations. The book contained trigger warnings for readers. Certain songs can have a trigger impact on listeners. The trigger event caused the system to activate. A trigger signal was sent to start the process.
View all translations of trigger
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:déclencher, gâchette, ...
- German:auslösen, Abzug, ...
- Italian:scatenare, grilletto, ...
- Spanish:desencadenar, disparador, ...
- Portuguese:desencadear, gatilho, ...
- Chinese:引发, 扳机, ...
- Japanese:引き起こす, 引き金, ...
- Arabic:أَثَارَ, زِناد, ...
- Hebrew:לְהַצִּית, הֶדֶק, ...
- Russian:вызывать, спусковой крючок, ...
- Ukrainian:спричинити, спусковий гачок, ...
- Hindi:शुरू करना, ट्रिगर, ...
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