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trigger

Pronunciation: /ˈtrɪgə/
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Definition of trigger

noun

  • a small device that releases a spring or catch and so sets off a mechanism, especially in order to fire a gun:he pulled the trigger of the shotgun
  • an event that is the cause of a particular action, process, or situation:the trigger for the strike was the closure of a mine

verb

[with object]
  • cause (a device) to function:burglars fled empty-handed after triggering the alarm
  • (also trigger something off) cause (an event or situation) to happen or exist:an allergy can be triggered by stress or overwork

Phrases

quick on the trigger

quick to respond.

Derivatives

triggered

adjective

Origin:

early 17th century: from dialect tricker, from Dutch trekker, from trekken 'to pull'

trigger in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of trigger in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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