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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Later on Saturday, Keoghan took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain his reasoning for deactivating his IG account. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024 After deactivating the account, Keoghan, 32, released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Dec. 7, to explain his departure. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024 Previous Stellantis Recalls In November, Stellantis recalled approximately 207,000 Jeep and Dodge SUVs in the United States to address a software issue that could deactivate the anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control systems. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Is deactivating a Twitter account the same as deleting it? Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deactivate 

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 21 Dec. 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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