Word Noun
activator
n.
countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈæktəˌveɪtɝ/ UK /ˈæktɪvˌeɪtɐ/ ac·ti·va·tor UK spelling activator's, activator's
Definition
n.a substance that starts a chemical reaction or makes a process happen faster. In biology, it can also be a protein that turns on a gene.
n.a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction; in genetics, a protein that binds to DNA to increase the transcription of a specific gene.
Examples
“In the mining industry, a chemical activator is often added to the water to help separate the valuable minerals from the waste rock.”
“The research team identified a specific transcriptional activator that binds to the promoter region, effectively switching on the gene responsible for the plant's drought resistance.”
Etymology
From activate + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated