Word Verb
deactivate
v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌdiˈæktɪˌveɪt/ UK /diːˈæktɪvˌeɪt/ de·ac·ti·vate UK spelling deactivated, deactivates, deactivating
Definition
v.to turn off or stop a machine, a system, or a feature. You use this when you want to disable something that is currently working.
v.to disable or turn off a device, system, or function. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Examples
“You need to deactivate the alarm before you leave.”
“The technician will deactivate the server to perform a full system update during the weekend.”
“Security protocols require that the administrator deactivate the firewall before attempting to install the new software to prevent any potential conflicts during the installation process.”
Etymology
From de- + activate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated