🇬🇧🇨🇳 trigger - 触发 : English Lesson

Meaning of "trigger" ("触发"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

To trigger something means to make it start happening, like pressing a button that begins an action. When you trigger something, you cause it to begin, such as triggering a light to turn on, triggering a game to start, or triggering laughter by telling a funny joke.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

Dad triggered the car’s voice assistant, and now it calls him “Captain Cranky” every morning.

The tiny “ding” from the oven triggered my brain to think, “Pizza time!” faster than any math problem ever could.

When I laughed too hard, it triggered a burp, which triggered more laughing, which triggered another burp, and the cycle never ended.

When the teacher said “pop quiz,” it triggered a chorus of dramatic sighs.

The sound of an ice-cream truck can trigger something called a “Pavlovian response,” which basically means your brain yells, “ICE CREAM!” before your feet even start running.

Sam set cups in a line. He pushed a car and it hit the first cup. That hit can trigger the next cup. Each falling cup can trigger a toy bird. The bird can trigger a small bell. The bell can trigger his mother to come. It can even trigger a tiny dance.

This word is at the B2 level, which means it’s used in more complex conversations and texts. It helps you discuss abstract ideas, express opinions clearly, and engage in discussions on a variety of topics, both personal and professional.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.