1A small device that releases a spring or catch and so sets off a mechanism, especially in order to fire a gun.

1. 1.1 An event that is the cause of a particular action, process, or situation.
   the trigger for the strike was the closure of a mine

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Elements such as the circle also contain their own event triggers to tie scripts to the elements.
   • Imagining the ridiculous trigger for the situation, Mallory shook her head in bewilderment.
   • If certain events are identified as triggers, it may be easier to deal with the stress of them.
   • Environmental situations, some chemicals and foods, and a host of other situations are patient-specific triggers.
   • Repeatedly low readings in a certain situation may indicate the trigger.
   • The event acts as a trigger or catalyst, which catapults them into an awareness of this phenomena.
   • The answers to these questions will help you identify some of the reasons for the decision you made, to help you identify triggers, or situations that may be difficult for you.
   • It has also codified a number of issues such as retrenchment and dismissal which were previously major strike triggers.
   • Your child's triggers will determine what steps you need to take to prevent asthma flare-ups where you're staying.
   • If you know exactly what sets you off, you can be mindful of it and remind yourself of the best ways to react in a trigger situation.
   • This was intended to be a constructive process, not a trigger for criticism, blame, or ill considered actions.
   • Anger triggers are situations in which expectations of fair play are violated.
   • There is still much speculation concerning initiating triggers.
   • The election was probably the trigger for the latest wave of terror attacks.
   • Other triggers include bright lights, stressful situations, and other illnesses such as a cold or stomach bug.
   • Plus, there aren't any triggers or events in the scenarios, and so the only thing that makes them play differently is the map they take place on, but the maps are a joke.
   • There is a great deal of debate surrounding the causes or triggers of trichotillomania, complicated by its heterogeneity.
   • All these triggers may also cause a relapse in a patient recovering from ME.
   • Event triggers and in-game cinematics will then guide you although you will determine how a mission will be accomplished.
   • People search endlessly for a psychological trigger, for a cause, but it can be unhelpful because often there isn't one.

1Cause (a device) to function.

1. 1.1also trigger something off Cause (an event or situation) to happen or exist.
   an allergy can be triggered by stress or overwork

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Time is inconsequential here and events are triggered by elements of nature.
   • In many parts of the basin, snow stays on the ground for over half the year, and snowmelt usually triggers major high-flow events.
   • With the Internet, an explosion in the demand for home computers was triggered.
   • Observers in Ecuador saw the message as a strong hint that triggered the following events.
   • With the prospect of the tragedy triggering a global recession companies lined up in droves to issue profits warnings and swing the axe.
   • In her opinion, instability in relationships and separations are not triggering events.
   • The exact cause of psoriasis is not known but it is understood that stress can trigger an outbreak.
   • Pinch wounding disrupts the epidermis but not the overlying cuticle and triggers only the events shown in black.
   • You can reduce the itching, inflammation, and scaling of psoriasis by reducing stress; high stress often triggers outbreaks.
   • That picture triggered a national scandal, not to mention an emotional shock wave that threw his life off course.
   • What triggers off this process is not fully understood.
   • Similarly, real downstream demand, not forecasts, triggers production and procurement processes.
   • Here again, the emblem suggests a chain of catastrophic, unspeakable events triggered by irresistible emotions.
   • What specific work of the law triggered this situation is not entirely clear.
   • Remember, you have to talk to every single one in order to trigger the event.
   • She never had heartburn and did not recall triggering events or abnormalities prior to the onset of her symptoms.
   • The further out on the spectrum of this array, the longer a sequence of events is triggered.
   • Very often a death in the family or the breakdown of a marriage triggers the violent outbursts and the dramatic changes in personality.
   • In my experience it takes much more than one solar arc progression to trigger events in a natal chart.
   • The leaf is modified to form two moving lobes that will close on prey when the trap is triggered via touch-sensitive trichomes.

   Synonyms

   precipitate, prompt, trigger off, set off, spark (off), touch off, stimulate, provoke, stir up, fan the flames of

   cause, give rise to, lead to, set in motion, occasion, be the cause of, bring about, generate, engender, begin, start, initiate

   literary enkindle
2. 1.2with object and infinitive (of an event or situation) cause (someone) to do something.
   the death of Helen's father triggered her to follow a childhood dream and become a falconer

   Example sentencesExamples

   • It was the same overwhelming urge that triggered him to flee the market.
   • Weight problems triggered him quitting his job as a stable jockey.
   • Other teachers may not have believed it was a wise decision and this triggered me to do more.
   • With all these questions revolving in my mind for a long time, a very fruitful talk with a singer triggered me to pen down my thoughts into words.
   • She heard Annie shout her name and it triggered her into motion.
   • I was triggered into action.
   • Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, the album that triggered her into thinking she should have a go herself was Harvest by Neil Young.
   • Although he only had the one fit, it triggered me to have his medication levels checked.
   • When I lived in Rotterdam, I wasn't triggered to start a label or organize concerts.
   • He said the "non-sunny side" was what finally triggered him to write his resignation letter.
3. 1.3 (especially of something read, seen, or heard) distress (someone), typically as a result of arousing feelings or memories associated with a particular traumatic experience.
   she started crying and told me that my news had really triggered her

   people ask how much I weigh but I won't talk about numbers because I know that triggers me

   Example sentencesExamples

   • I'm triggered by anyone banging on my door.
   • I know the job loss triggered her.
   • While he doesn't want to hurt people, he can't help his rage when he's triggered.
   • She is asserting herself, yet when she does, I am triggered.
   • Not only does it trigger her every time either of those "men" are in the same room as her, court or not, she and her mother have both spoken openly, saying that the girl wants to leave it behind.
   • He lives in the country where hunting is common and whenever he hears what could be a gunshot, he's triggered.
   • She told me that by telling the student that I was going to defend myself, I triggered her.
   • He recalls one of the many incidents that still trigger him ahead in his mission.
   • For me as a survivor, I was triggered so I had to leave the room while they were presenting it, because the examples were so real life.
   • She tried to fake being "okay," pushing herself through situations that triggered her.