Definition of "trigger"

trigger

/ˈtɹɪɡə/

noun
plural triggers
1. (firearms) A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
  Quotations
  [W]e pull'd aſide the Tricker, and obſerv'd, that according to our expectation the force of the Spring of the Lock vvas not ſenſibly abated by the abſence of the Air.
  1659 December 30 (date written), Robert Boyle, “[Experiment 14]”, in New Experiments Physico-Mechanicall, Touching the Spring of the Air, and Its Effects, (Made, for the Most Part, in a New Pneumatical Engine) […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] H[enry] Hall, printer to the University, for Tho[mas] Robinson, published 1660, page 89
2. A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
3. An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
4. A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.
5. (psychology) An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.
6. (music) An electronic transducer allowing a drum, cymbal, etc. to control an electronic drum unit or similar device.
7. (music) 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.
8. (electronics) A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.
9. (databases) An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.
10. (online gaming) A text string that, when received by a player, will cause the player to execute a certain command.
11. (archaic) A catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.
verb
third-person singular simple present triggers, present participle triggering, simple past and past participle triggered
1. (transitive) To fire a weapon.
  Quotations
  A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.
  2011, Jim Baggott, The First War of Physics, Pegasus Books
2. (transitive) To initiate something.
  Quotations
  The accident followed torrential early morning rain that triggered widespread flooding across Scotland's tracks, including south of Carmont.
  2020 August 26, Philip Haigh, “Network News: Three die in ScotRail landslip derailment at Carmont”, in Rail, page 6
3. (transitive, figurative) To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (someone).
  Quotations
  People get triggered simply by seeing a Trump.
  2019, Donald Trump Jr., Triggered‎, Center Street
  “I think I trigger a lot of their primal rage,” Mr. Greenwald said, referring to Brazilians who support the president. “They view me as someone who deserves to be punished.”
  2020 January 25, Ernesto Londoño, Letícia Casado, “Glenn Greenwald in Bolsonaro’s Brazil”, in The New York Times‎
4. (intransitive, especially electronics) To activate; to become active.
  Quotations
  Sodium nitrite (750 ppm) was added after the alarm triggered at three hours, and corrosion did not occur for over eight hours.
  1997, Mill Operators' Conference, page 182

Definition of "trigger"

trigger

noun

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verb

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