deactivate

verb

de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating; deactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivate a bomb
deactivate a chemical compound
deactivation noun

Examples of deactivate in a Sentence

deactivate the machine carefully, or you'll risk an electric shock
Recent Examples on the Web Also, when a chase is terminated officers are to deactivate their lights and sirens, resume a safe speed and comply with traffic laws. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 An article on Saturday about the co-founder of a group that works to deactivate unexploded bombs left behind by the Vietnam War referred imprecisely to an arm injury Ho Van Lai sustained in a cluster bomb explosion. New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The Savory Fig’s Instagram account appears to have been deactivated. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Tunnell says pouring hot water and vinegar will help deactivate the toxins. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Testing the ‘significant role’ of Xist The Xist molecule’s main job is to deactivate the second female X chromosome in embryos, ensuring that the body’s cells don’t get a potentially toxic double whammy of the chromosome’s protein-coding genes. Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024 The panels examine undercover operations that involve the delivery of drugs or money to traffickers or the targeting of corrupt foreign officials; the lawyers try to deactivate the plans that might blow up on the department. Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024 The current policy, last amended in 2013, allows students of all levels to have deactivated cellphones during school hours. Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2024 Though the stars showed support for DeBose, criticism about the rap led the Oscar winner to deactivate her X account. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deactivate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deactivate was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near deactivate

Cite this Entry

“Deactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deactivate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deactivate

verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
: to make inactive or ineffective
deactivation noun

Medical Definition

deactivate

transitive verb
de·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)dē-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce deactivate (audio)
deactivated; deactivating
1
: to make inactive or ineffective
2
: to deprive of chemical activity
deactivate an enzyme
deactivation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deactivate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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