deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

deactivated; deactivating; deactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive or ineffective

deactivate a bomb

deactivate a chemical compound

deactivation

(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

deactivator

(ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• kill
• shut off
• turn off

Examples of deactivate in a Sentence

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock

Recent Examples on the Web

The chlorine and cocoa butter paste is more easily biodegradable and the chlorine’s potency naturally deactivates within 24 hours. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

In Wisconsin, specifically, local clerks routinely deactivate the voter registration of deceased people using state Department of Health records, funeral home reports and obituaries, Vetterkind said. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024

The devices were deactivated and removed from the premises, the Seminole Police Department said in a statement. —Elias Lopez, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2024

To deactivate the cling, swipe a dryer sheet on the problem surface areas. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

: to make inactive or ineffective

deactivation

(ˌ)dē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

deactivate

transitive verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

deactivated; deactivating

1

: to make inactive or ineffective

2

: to deprive of chemical activity

deactivate an enzyme

deactivation

-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun