trigger

A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

• Just pull the trigger.

A similar device used to activate any mechanism.

An event that initiates others, or incites a response.

• Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.

An event that initiates others, or incites a response.; Something that triggers an ASMR response.

An event that initiates others, or incites a response.; A cue that triggers a posthypnotic suggestion.

A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.

• emotional trigger
• I can't watch that violent film. Blood is one of my triggers.

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.

To fire (a weapon); to set off or trip (a mechanism or function of a device).transitive

• A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.

To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.transitive

• The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.

To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).figurativelytransitive

• This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.

To activate; to become active.especiallyintransitive

• Sodium nitrite (750 ppm) was added after the alarm triggered at three hours, and corrosion did not occur for over eight hours.

comparative form of trig: more trigcomparativeform-of