- See Also:
- - trig function
  - trig point
  - trig.
  - triga
  - trigamous
  - trigamy
  - trigeminal
  - trigeminal nerve
  - trigeminal neuralgia
  - Trigère
  - trigger
  - trigger finger
  - trigger mechanism
  - trigger-happy
  - triggerfish
  - triggerman
  - triglyceride
  - triglyph
  - trigo
  - trigon
  - trigonal
- Recent searches:
- View All

trigger

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈtrɪgə^r/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈtrɪgɚ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(trig′ər)

trig•ger /ˈtrɪgɚ/USA pronunciation n. [countable]

a small tongue in a gun that, when pressed by the finger, fires the gun.
a device pulled or pressed to release something.
anything that causes a reaction:a trigger for the fight.

v. [~ + object]

to cause or begin (a chain of events):Inflation triggered unemployment.
to fire or explode (a gun, etc.) by pulling a trigger.

Idioms

Idioms, Informal Terms quick on the trigger, too quick to act or respond;
impetuous:He was too quick on the trigger and wound up losing the deal.

trig•ger (trig′ər),USA pronunciation n.

a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.
a device, as a lever, the pulling or pressing of which releases a detent or spring.
anything, as an act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions.
[Slang.]triggerman.
quick on the trigger, [Informal.]quick to act or respond;
impetuous;
alert.

v.t.

to initiate or precipitate (a chain of events, scientific reaction, psychological process, etc.):Their small protest triggered a mass demonstration.
to fire or explode (a gun, missile, etc.) by pulling a trigger or releasing a triggering device:He accidentally triggered his rifle.

v.i.

Economicsto release a trigger.
to become active;
activate.

Dutch trekker, equivalent. to trekk(en) to pull + -er -er¹
earlier tricker 1615–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

trigger /ˈtrɪɡə/ n

a small projecting lever that activates the firing mechanism of a firearm
a device that releases a spring-loaded mechanism or a similar arrangement
any event that sets a course of action in motion

vb (transitive)

(usually followed by off) to give rise (to); set off
to fire or set in motion by or as by pulling a trigger
to cause (a person) to relive a traumatic experience

Etymology: 17th Century tricker, from Dutch trekker, from trekken to pull; see trek

'trigger' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

automatic - cock - detent - gadget - guard - hair trigger - half-cock - happy - krytron - pachinko - Russian roulette - semiautomatic - shoulder - trigger-happy - tumbler - bow net - burst - cnidocil - creep - crossbow - dirty bomb - double-action - interrogator - lever action - machine gun - present arms - trigger finger - triggerfish - triggerman - trigger mechanism - snick - stun gun

In Lists: Top 2000 English words, IELTS by chrisdouka, books, more...

Collocations: [pull, release, press] the trigger, trigger the [alarm, sprinklers], [is, feels] trigger happy, more...

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "trigger" in the title:

“The Sin Devil Trigger”-Proper nouns and determiners
A is less likely to trigger immune response in B, but very likely in C.
A trigger to/of the war
A trigger VS The trigger
A weapon whose trigger is locked...?
activate-trigger-set off a fire/smoke alarm
Are there any common expression to say " pull the trigger"?
Baldwin didn't pull the trigger
besides trigger(ing)
cocking trigger
combust/ignite/trigger a desire/wish/feeling
cut trigger a huge equity rally
depletion of the fund would trigger federal laws governing..
Deploy/Set off/Trigger/Activate/Inflate the airbag.
go trigger happy?
goose the trigger
hair-trigger fury
have that as a trigger
"I tried to pull the trigger but it wouldn't work"
incur / trigger
Is there another meaning in 'pull the trigger'? (in the book 'Good Omens')
It was Arthur pulled the trigger
itchy trigger finger
jeweled trigger
movement of peoples that followed, or perhaps helped trigger
on-the-nose trigger
overload trigger for fan motor
Press on the trigger
proximate trigger
pull that trigger
more...

Visit the English Only Forum.
Help WordReference: Ask in the forums yourself.

Look up "trigger" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "trigger" at dictionary.com

Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

URL: https://www.wordreference.com/definition/trigger

⇱ trigger - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

trigger