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
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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Steep duties prompt retaliation from governments across the globe and trigger trade wars, the ad says.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Since then, there was only one ‘dip’ in form all season in 2023-24, triggered by back-to-back losses to West Ham and Fulham.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trigger
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Noun
This time the trigger seems to be political advertisements … that might suggest a resolution is more difficult to come by.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Steep duties prompt retaliation from governments across the globe and trigger trade wars, the ad says.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
While news of that lifeline briefly triggered a sharp rally earlier this month, the peso has since given up those gains and has tumbled by more than 40% against the greenback so far this year.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Since then, there was only one ‘dip’ in form all season in 2023-24, triggered by back-to-back losses to West Ham and Fulham.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trigger
Cite this Entry
“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigger. Accessed 31 Oct. 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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