US /diˈæktəˌveɪt/ UK /diːˈæktɪveɪt/
verb

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to make something inactive or render it inoperative

    Remember to deactivate the alarm before entering the building.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to make something inactive... disabledeadenturn offdisengageneutralizeinactivateswitch off
Word family
Derived forms deactivationdeactivatordeactivated
Related forms activateactiveaction

Etymology

Formed in English from the prefix de- ('reverse, undo', from Latin) plus activate, from Latin activus, from agere ('to do, drive'). A modern coinage of the late 19th–early 20th century.

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