Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun trigger

3 senses of trigger

Sense 1
gun trigger, trigger -- (lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun)
       => lever -- (a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum)

Sense 2
trigger -- (a device that activates or releases or causes something to happen)
       => device -- (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water")

Sense 3
trigger, induction, initiation -- (an act that sets in motion some course of events)
       => causing, causation -- (the act of causing something to happen)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb trigger

2 senses of trigger

Sense 1
trip, actuate, trigger, activate, set off, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off -- (put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits")
       => initiate, pioneer -- (take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants")

Sense 2
trigger -- (release or pull the trigger on; "Trigger a gun")