1. Lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
   "The hunter's finger rested lightly on the gun trigger";
   - gun trigger
    
2. A device that activates, releases or causes something to happen
   "He pulled the trigger on the gun"
    
3. An act that sets in motion some course of events
   "The assassination was the trigger for the war";
   - induction, initiation
    
4. (computing) a program or routine that executes automatically when certain conditions are met
   "The database uses triggers to update related tables"

1. Put in motion, initiate (a device, reaction, circuit, etc)
   "trigger a reaction"; "The sensor triggered off the alarm system";
   - trip, actuate, activate, set off, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off
    
2. Release or pull the trigger on
   "Trigger a gun"
    
3. Cause (someone) to have a strong emotional reaction, especially due to a reminder of past trauma
   "The news report triggered survivors of similar accidents"
    
4. Cause to start, provoke or initiate (usually something negative or violent)
   "his remarks triggered condemnation"; "trigger a huge argument";
   - kick off [informal], touch off, spark off, spark, set off

Derived forms: triggers, triggered, triggering

See also: set

Type of: causation, device, initiate, lever, pioneer

Part of: gun

Encyclopedia: Trigger