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
Synonyms
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 WebDavid Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
After further testing of the gun, experts concluded that summer Baldwin must have pulled the trigger, contrary to what the actor has claimed.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
Under Missouri law, a person who did not pull the trigger can still be charged when someone is killed during the commission of a dangerous felony.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Baldwin was indicted in January on a charge of involuntary manslaughter for pointing the gun at Hutchins and pulling the trigger.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Randy Zelin, a defense lawyer who teaches at Cornell Law School, said he was worried by the prospect that courts could impose criminal liability on individuals who don’t pull a trigger or have knowledge or intent of a crime.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Of the beta-blockers recognized as psoriasis triggers, Inderal (propranolol) is the most common culprit.
—Maureen Salamon, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2024
Anxiety and stress tend to be common triggers that cause eczema to flare up.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors argued that James Crumbley failed to use a cable lock, trigger lock or store the gun in a locked safe, any one of which could have prevented the shooting.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Georgia Day, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
Soaring poverty—particularly affecting children—makes life in Puerto Rico difficult, triggering the migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States and abroad.
—TIME, 25 Apr. 2024
The flashback episode is likely to prove triggering for the intensely graphic depictions of Darrien's assaults on Donny.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
West Nile virus cases rose 980% in Sacramento County in a one-year period after record-breaking storms drenched California in 2023, triggering local officials to request residents to practice mosquito mitigation as the insects this year threaten another intense season.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
Long before the Charlotte Hornets’ season wrapped up, triggering the next phase of the team’s seemingly yearly reconstruction, the jokes were flowing on social media and via word of mouth.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
That’s a lot more than people are used to, and on the mortgage-rate side, it’s triggered the lock-in effect—why sell your home with a rate below 3% for one that’s above 7%?
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024
After the shooting, Aispuro was able to radio for help, triggering a massive manhunt.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
And because European forces would be acting outside the NATO framework and NATO territory, any casualties would not trigger an Article 5 response and draw in the United States.
—Alex Crowther, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
Noun
Police are still looking for the person or people who pulled the trigger, Colome said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
After further testing of the gun, experts concluded that summer Baldwin must have pulled the trigger, contrary to what the actor has claimed.
—Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
Under Missouri law, a person who did not pull the trigger can still be charged when someone is killed during the commission of a dangerous felony.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Baldwin was indicted in January on a charge of involuntary manslaughter for pointing the gun at Hutchins and pulling the trigger.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Randy Zelin, a defense lawyer who teaches at Cornell Law School, said he was worried by the prospect that courts could impose criminal liability on individuals who don’t pull a trigger or have knowledge or intent of a crime.
—Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Of the beta-blockers recognized as psoriasis triggers, Inderal (propranolol) is the most common culprit.
—Maureen Salamon, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2024
Anxiety and stress tend to be common triggers that cause eczema to flare up.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors argued that James Crumbley failed to use a cable lock, trigger lock or store the gun in a locked safe, any one of which could have prevented the shooting.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Verb
Higher than normal levels of the hormone inhibit the production of molecules called cytokines, which are responsible for triggering the body’s healing process and dampening down inflammation.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024
Soaring poverty—particularly affecting children—makes life in Puerto Rico difficult, triggering the migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States and abroad.
—TIME, 25 Apr. 2024
The flashback episode is likely to prove triggering for the intensely graphic depictions of Darrien's assaults on Donny.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
West Nile virus cases rose 980% in Sacramento County in a one-year period after record-breaking storms drenched California in 2023, triggering local officials to request residents to practice mosquito mitigation as the insects this year threaten another intense season.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
Long before the Charlotte Hornets’ season wrapped up, triggering the next phase of the team’s seemingly yearly reconstruction, the jokes were flowing on social media and via word of mouth.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
That’s a lot more than people are used to, and on the mortgage-rate side, it’s triggered the lock-in effect—why sell your home with a rate below 3% for one that’s above 7%?
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024
After the shooting, Aispuro was able to radio for help, triggering a massive manhunt.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
And because European forces would be acting outside the NATO framework and NATO territory, any casualties would not trigger an Article 5 response and draw in the United States.
—Alex Crowther, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trigger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near trigger
Cite this Entry
“Trigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigger. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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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