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Added 29 September 2026

trigger

/ˈtɹɪɡə/ noun

Categories: ThingsActionsUncommon Words

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about trigger at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
    Just pull the trigger.
  2. A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
  3. An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
    Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.

verb

  1. To fire (a weapon); to set off or trip (a mechanism or function of a device).
  2. To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.
    The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.
  3. To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).
    This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.

adjective

  1. comparative form of trig: more trig

Origin

Originally tricker, from Dutch trekker (“pull”, noun, as in drawer-pull, bell-pull), from Dutch trekken (“to drag, draw, pull”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: sparktripactuateactivateinitiationinductiongun

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