# trigger

/ˈtɹɪɡɝ/ (US) · /tɹˈɪɡɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trigger
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. part of a gun

noun · CEFR B1

the small lever you pull with your finger to fire a gun.

For teachers: a finger-operated lever used to discharge a firearm.

- He kept his finger off the trigger until he was ready to shoot at the target.
- The forensic report indicated that the trigger had been modified to require very little pressure, suggesting the weapon was intended for competitive marksman use.

### 2. an event that starts something

noun · CEFR B2

something that causes a process or a series of events to begin.

For teachers: an event, stimulus, or circumstance that initiates a mechanical, chemical, or social process.

- The sudden drop in stock prices was the trigger for a global financial crisis.
- Economists debated whether the tax hike was the primary trigger for the recession or merely a contributing factor in an already fragile market.

### 3. emotional stimulus

noun · CEFR B2

something that causes someone to feel upset or remember a bad experience.

For teachers: a stimulus that elicits a strong emotional response or initiates a traumatic memory in an individual.

- Certain smells can be a trigger for people who have experienced a fire.
- The therapist worked with the patient to identify specific environmental triggers that preceded his panic attacks.

### 4. electronic pulse

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an electrical signal that starts a component or a computer program.

For teachers: a pulse or signal in an electronic circuit or database that initiates a specific action or procedure.

- The sensor sends a trigger to the camera to take a photo when it detects movement.
- The database administrator configured a trigger to automatically update the inventory levels whenever a new sales record was inserted into the system.

### 5. to cause something to happen

verb · CEFR B2

to make something start happening, especially suddenly.

For teachers: to initiate or precipitate a chain of events or a specific reaction. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

- The smoke from the burnt toast triggered the fire alarm in the hallway.
- The discovery of the virus in the local water supply triggered an immediate emergency response from the public health department.

### 6. to upset someone

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to cause someone to have a strong, usually negative, emotional reaction.

For teachers: to provoke a strong emotional or psychological reaction, often relating to past trauma. Frequently used in passive constructions.

- Loud noises can trigger some veterans who have been in combat.
- The documentary was preceded by a warning that some of the graphic footage might trigger viewers sensitive to depictions of violence.

## Examples

- The smell of smoke was a trigger for his anxiety.
- Loud noises can be a trigger for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Economists identified the sudden collapse of the housing market as the primary trigger for the subsequent global recession, though underlying structural weaknesses had been present for years.

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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.