trigger

1 of 2

noun

trig·​ger ˈtri-gər 

1

a

: a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it

especially : the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun

b

: a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated

trigger of a spray gun

2

: something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction

trigger

2 of 2

verb

triggered; triggering ˈtri-g(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to release or activate by means of a trigger

especially : to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger

trigger a rifle

b

: to cause the explosion of

trigger a missile with a proximity fuse

2

: to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger

an indiscreet remark that triggered a fight

a stimulus that triggered a reflex

3

: to cause an intense and usually negative emotional reaction in (someone)

Water had a way of triggering my brother and making ordinary, everyday weather take a frightening turn for the worse.

—Ingrid Law

intransitive verb

: to release a mechanical trigger

Synonyms

Verb

• activate
• actuate
• crank (up)
• drive
• move
• run
• set off
• spark
• start
• touch off
• turn on

Examples of trigger in a Sentence

Verb

Smoke triggered the fire alarm.

The timer was set to trigger the bomb in exactly one hour.

His remarks triggered a public outcry.

Certain foods trigger his headaches.

The power outage was triggered by heavy rains.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Davies said Fox is currently testing and training machine-learning models that could identify certain triggers—a hit, a kick, some trash talk—and enhance those sounds or dump certain bits of audio without cutting out a feed entirely. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025

The doe crumples in her tracks just as Adams pulls the trigger. —Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2025

Verb

Trump's executive actions — many of which have direct links to Project 2025 — have already had far-reaching impacts, triggering a rapid shakeup of the federal bureaucracy. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025

The flurry of changes triggered by the directive has led to the erasure of articles featuring NASA astronomers from underrepresented communities that the agency published in years past, like this one. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of earlier tricker, from Dutch trekker, from Middle Dutch trecker one that pulls, from trecken to pull — more at trek

First Known Use

Noun

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing trigger

• hair trigger
• pull the trigger
• quick on the trigger
• trigger ban
• trigger-happy
• trigger law
• trigger point

Kids Definition

trigger

1 of 2 noun

trig·​ger ˈtrig-ər 

1

: a movable lever that activates a device when it is squeezed

especially : the part of the lock of a firearm that releases the hammer and so fires the gun

2

: something that causes something else to happen

trigger adjective

triggered

-ərd 

adjective

trigger

2 of 2 verb

triggered; triggering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to fire by pulling a trigger

2

: to begin, stir up, or set in motion as if by pulling a trigger

the remark that triggered the laughter