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
Cristina Mutchler, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Dunn thinks that, like Lewis, Edgar was a victim and that someone else pulled the trigger.
—Judy Rybak, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The defense argues that their pending appeal should trigger an automatic stay, which would pause the process.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for trigger 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Capsaicin itself can speed up digestion, irritate the digestive lining, and trigger diarrhea.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Dunn thinks that, like Lewis, Edgar was a victim and that someone else pulled the trigger.
—Judy Rybak, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
The inauguration in two weeks of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has brought a new element of uncertainty and triggered an apparent effort by both sides to establish battlefield gains before any possible peace talks.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The defense argues that their pending appeal should trigger an automatic stay, which would pause the process.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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 19 Jan. 2025.
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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