trigger

Plural: triggers

Noun

lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
a device that activates or releases or causes something to happen
an act that sets in motion some course of events
A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.
An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.
An electronic transducer allowing a drum, cymbal, etc. to control an electronic drum unit or similar device.
A device that manually lengthens (or sometimes shortens) the slide or tubing of a brass instrument, allowing the pitch range to be altered while playing.
A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.
An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.
A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.

Verb

Verb Forms: triggered, triggering, triggers

To cause an action or process to begin.
put in motion or move to act
- "trigger a reaction"
release or pull the trigger on
- "Trigger a gun"
To fire (a weapon).
To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.
To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).
To activate; to become active.

Adj

comparative form of trig: more trig

Examples

emotional trigger
I can't watch that violent film. Blood is one of my triggers.
Just pull the trigger.
Placing a ’Z’ on a double-letter score will "TRIGGER" a significant point boost.
Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.
The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.
This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

activate, actuate, gun trigger, induction, initiation, set off, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger off, trip, cause, detonate, fire, initiate, precipitate, push someone's buttons

Scrabble Score: 9

trigger: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
trigger: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
trigger: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

trigger: valid Words With Friends Word