1
a
: a piece (such as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it
especially
: the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun
b
: a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated
trigger of a spray gun
2
: something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction
triggered; triggering
ˈtri-g(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to release or activate by means of a trigger
especially
: to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger
trigger a rifle
b
: to cause the explosion of
trigger a missile with a proximity fuse
2
: to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger
an indiscreet remark that triggered a fight
a stimulus that triggered a reflex
3
: to cause an intense and usually negative emotional reaction in (someone)
Water had a way of triggering my brother and making ordinary, everyday weather take a frightening turn for the worse.—
Ingrid Law
Ingrid Law
: to release a mechanical trigger
Synonyms
Examples of trigger in a Sentence
Verb
Smoke triggered the fire alarm.
The timer was set to trigger the bomb in exactly one hour.
His remarks triggered a public outcry.
Certain foods trigger his headaches.
The power outage was triggered by heavy rains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Still, the part of me that has become used to adding Bella Hadid’s bags to my cart (if not always pulling the trigger) is starting to justify the purchase.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Rafael is forecast to pass near Jamaica Tuesday, bringing torrential rainfall to the island country that could trigger mudslides along the higher terrain.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trigger 
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Noun
Finally, in desperation, the hunter pulls the trigger.
—Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Still, the part of me that has become used to adding Bella Hadid’s bags to my cart (if not always pulling the trigger) is starting to justify the purchase.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Earlier on Wednesday, the union representing the department’s rank-and-file officers, whose complaints to county officials triggered the report, asserted that their recent public criticism of Corpus only had to do with her job performance.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Rafael is forecast to pass near Jamaica Tuesday, bringing torrential rainfall to the island country that could trigger mudslides along the higher terrain.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trigger
Dictionary Entries Near trigger
Cite this Entry
“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigger. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trigger
2 of 2 verb
triggered; triggering
-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to fire by pulling a trigger
2
: to begin, stir up, or set in motion as if by pulling a trigger
the remark that triggered the laughter
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