trigger

noun

1. 1

   A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

   Just pull the trigger.

   [W]e pull'd aſide the Tricker, and obſerv'd, that according to our expectation the force of the Spring of the Lock vvas not ſenſibly abated by the abſence of the Air.

2. 2

   A similar device used to activate any mechanism.

3. 3

   An event that initiates others, or incites a response.

   Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.

4. 4

   An event that initiates others, or incites a response. Something that triggers an ASMR response.

5. 5

   A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.

   emotional trigger

   I can't watch that violent film. Blood is one of my triggers.

6. 6

   An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.

7. 7

   An electronic transducer allowing a drum, cymbal, etc. to control an electronic drum unit or similar device.

8. 8

   A device that manually lengthens (or sometimes shortens) the slide or tubing of a brass instrument, allowing the pitch range to be altered while playing.

9. 9

   A pulse in an electronic circuit that initiates some component.

10. 10

    An SQL procedure that may be initiated when a record is inserted, updated or deleted; typically used to maintain referential integrity.

11. 11

    archaicA catch to hold the wheel of a carriage on a declivity.

12. 12

    An argument whose semantic role determines the choice of a verbal affix, in certain Austronesian languages.

verb

1. 1

   To fire (a weapon); to set off or trip (a mechanism or function of a device).

   A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.

2. 2

   To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.

   The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.

   The accident followed torrential early morning rain that triggered widespread flooding across Scotland's tracks, including south of Carmont.

   A 35-year-old woman’s flutter was triggered by increasing the depth of breathing and by (electrical) stimulation of the diaphragm.

3. 3

   figurativeTo spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).

   This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.

   People get triggered simply by seeing a Trump.

   I encountered a forum user who didn't agree with me, so I wrote some comments with my political slogans to trigger that clueless kiddo.

4. 4

   To activate; to become active.

   Sodium nitrite (750 ppm) was added after the alarm triggered at three hours, and corrosion did not occur for over eight hours.

adjective

1. 1

   Also a form of trigcomparative form of trig: more trig

Forms

plural

triggers

past tense

triggered

past participle

triggered

present participle

triggering

third person singular

triggers