[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/trigger/)

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# trigger

noun (a trigger, triggers); verb (trigger, triggers, triggered, triggering)

«trigger» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A trigger is the small lever on a gun or tool that you pull to make it work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#m1)
2. To trigger something means to make it start or happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#m2)
3. A trigger is something that causes a reaction, such as a thing that sets off an alarm, an allergy or a strong feeling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science and safety it means cause: smoke triggers a smoke alarm; pollen can trigger asthma; a lot of rain can trigger a landslide. In everyday talk it is a cause of an action. With toys and tools, a trigger is the part you squeeze, as on a water pistol or spray bottle. Safety: never touch a real gun; tell an adult. Phrases: «pull the trigger», «trigger an alarm», «set off», «asthma triggers».

### Examples

- Burnt toast triggered the smoke alarm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x1)
- Dust can trigger my sister's asthma. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x2)
- Squeeze the trigger on the spray bottle to water the plants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x3)
- The heavy rain triggered a flood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x4)
- The water pistol has a bright orange trigger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x5)
- Opening the door triggers the doorbell chime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x6)
- Cold air is one of his asthma triggers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x7)
- If you ever find a real gun, don't touch it and tell an adult. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x8)
- It began to dig up another tree, when he pulled the trigger and--bang! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/#x9)

### Note

Countable noun; regular verb: triggered, triggering (double g in all forms, single r at the end). «Trigger» as a verb is close to «cause» or «set off». A trigger starts something; it is not always the only cause.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «trigger» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/trigger/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«trigger» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/trigger.html) on Mova free.