reactivate
verb
re·ac·ti·vate
(ˌ)rē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 
reactivated; reactivating; reactivates
1
transitive
: to activate (something or someone) again
… turning the dough (gently folding it over onto itself between the first and second rises) reactivates the yeast without pressing out as much air.—
Erika Bruce
: such as
Erika Bruce
a(1)
: to restore (an organized group such as a military unit) to an active state (as from a state of disorganization or deactivation)
(2)
: to restore (an individual) to active duty
He was reactivated after 9/11 and sent to Afghanistan for a year.—Pam Kragen
Pam Kragen
(3)
: to cause (something such as an industrial plant, society, program, or commission) to function again after a suspension of activity
Started in 1987 and reactivated two years ago, the Leadership Shelby County program takes the participants through the process of developing and launching efforts to improve the community.—John Walker
John Walker
b
psychology
: to cause (something such as a repressed complex) to reappear in consciousness or behavior
Feelings of inferiority were reactivated by the experience.
c
medical
: to cause (a quiescent disease) to become active again
tuberculosis that was reactivated by fatigue
2
intransitive
: to become active again
… a painful nerve and skin disorder that occurs when the immune system weakens in older people and the virus, which never entirely leaves the body, reactivates.—Alison L. Sprout
Alison L. SproutExamples of reactivate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the mouse encounters the shock again in that region, the same neurons appear to reactivate.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Using fresh colorectal cancer samples, the researchers discovered that the iron in red meat reactivated the enzyme telomerase via an iron-sensing protein called Pirin, which drove the progression of the cancer.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024
For this, the Haitian government should reactivate the currently dormant National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement, and Reintegration.
—Renata Segura, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2024
In 1951, Luke Field was reactivated as Luke Air Force Base.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2024
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William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Using fresh colorectal cancer samples, the researchers discovered that the iron in red meat reactivated the enzyme telomerase via an iron-sensing protein called Pirin, which drove the progression of the cancer.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024
For this, the Haitian government should reactivate the currently dormant National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement, and Reintegration.
—Renata Segura, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2024
In 1951, Luke Field was reactivated as Luke Air Force Base.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reactivate
Dictionary Entries Near reactivate
Cite this Entry
“Reactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactivate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
reactivate
transitive verb
re·ac·ti·vate
(ˈ)rē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt
reactivated; reactivating
: to activate again : cause to be again active or more active: as
a
: to cause (as a repressed complex) to reappear in consciousness or behavior
persecution feelings reactivated by new social failures
b
: to cause (a quiescent disease) to become active again in an individual
a herpes infection reactivated by physical and emotional stresses
c
: to restore complement to (an inactivated serum) by addition of fresh normal serum
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