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trigger definition

trig·ger (trigər)

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.

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