# activation

/ˌæktəˈveɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌæktɪvˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/activation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. starting a process

noun · CEFR B2

the act of making something start working or becoming active.

For teachers: the act of making something active or effective; bringing a system or device into a state of operation.

- You will receive an email with a code for the activation of your new account.
- The sudden activation of the building's emergency alarm system caused immediate confusion among the staff who had not been briefed on the drill.

### 2. chemical/biological

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of making a substance or molecule ready to react.

For teachers: the process by which a molecule is prepared to undergo a chemical reaction or a biological process is triggered.

- The activation of certain enzymes helps your body digest food more quickly.
- Researchers observed that the activation of the T-cells occurred only after exposure to the specific viral protein.

### 3. brand promotion

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the act of showing off a brand through a special event or campaign to get people interested.

For teachers: the process of increasing brand awareness and engagement through experiential events or integrated marketing campaigns.

- The company planned a massive brand activation at the music festival to reach younger customers.
- The agency's strategy for the product activation focused on immersive digital experiences rather than traditional television advertisements.

### 4. physics/radioactivity

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

making a material radioactive by hitting it with tiny particles.

For teachers: the process of inducing radioactivity in a stable isotope by bombarding it with neutrons, protons, or other particles.

- Neutron activation is a technique used to find out what elements are in a sample.
- The structural components of the reactor underwent significant activation after years of exposure to high-intensity neutron flux.

## Examples

- The activation of the alarm system happens automatically at night.
- The technician confirmed that the activation of the new software would take approximately ten minutes to complete.
- In molecular biology, the activation of specific genes is often triggered by environmental stressors, leading to a cascade of cellular responses designed to protect the organism.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.