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trigger definition

trig·ger (trig′ər)

noun

  1. a small lever or part which when pulled or pressed releases a catch, spring, etc.
  2. in firearms, a small lever pressed back by the finger to activate the firing mechanism
  3. an act, impulse, etc. that initiates an action, series of events, etc.

Etymology: earlier tricker < Du trekker < trekken, to draw, pull: see trek

transitive verb

  1. to fire or activate by pulling or pressing a trigger
  2. to initiate (an action); set off the fight that triggered the riot
trigger Idioms

quick on the trigger

☆ Informal
  1. quick to fire a gun
  2. quick to act, understand, retort, etc.; alert

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

hacker Trigger definition - hacker

idioms trigger idiom

trigger Usage Examples

Object

  • seizure: Large amounts of any liquid, even water, can trigger a seizure in a person with epilepsy.

Converse of object

  • pull: People are now asking us: was he entitled to pull the trigger?

Adjective modifier

  • allergic: Most people with asthma are allergic to certain things in the environment these are known as allergic triggers.

Modifies a noun

  • pulse: Vg1 returns rapidly to its original level and remains there until the next trigger pulse arrives.

Noun used with modifier

  • chemoreceptor: It also acts on a part of your brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone.

Used with why or when

  • when: She said in her view the expenses were triggered when the General Election was declared.

Preposition: of

  • asthma: Unfortunately, one of the most common triggers of asthma, is allergy to house dust mites.
trigger usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

trigger quotes

Whose finger do you want on the trigger?

-Anonymous

Whose finger do you want on the trigger?

-Daily Mirror

Are we so sure that with15 representatives†inacting under the unanimity rule, the deterrent would continue to deter? There may be one finger on the trigger, but there will be15 fingers on the safety catch.

-Stockton

trigger quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"trigger." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/trigger>

APA Style

trigger. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/trigger

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