activate

1. (transitive) To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.Examples: "activate the economy"transitive

2. (transitive) To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.Examples: "The pranksters activated the fire alarm by spraying deodorant next to it."transitive

3. (transitive, chemistry, physics) To render more reactive; excite.transitive

4. (transitive, biology) To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function.transitive

5. (transitive, physics) To render a substance radioactive.transitive

6. (transitive, chemistry) To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating.transitive