trigger

I = trigger off
trigger UK [ˈtrɪɡə(r)] / US [ˈtrɪɡər] or trigger off UK / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "trigger":
present tense I/you/we/they trigger he/she/it triggers present participle triggering past tense triggered past participle triggered
Word forms "trigger off":
present tense I/you/we/they trigger off
**

1) to make something happen

The news of his death triggered more violence.

a) to cause someone to have a particular feeling or memory

You find that strangely familiar smells trigger memories of childhood.

b) to cause someone to do or say something

trigger a response/reaction:

The report has triggered a fierce response from the governor.

2) to make a machine or piece of equipment start to work

A sensor had triggered the security camera.

II UK [ˈtrɪɡə(r)] / US [ˈtrɪɡər] noun [countable]
Word forms "trigger":
singular trigger plural triggers
*

1) the part of a gun that you move with your finger to make the gun fire

pull/squeeze the trigger:

She lifts her gun and pulls the trigger.

2) something that produces an immediate result

trigger for:

It was the trigger for a whole new investigation.