Dictionary

actuate

verb ac·tu·ate \ˈak-chə-ˌwāt, -shə-\

: to make (a machine or electrical device) move or operate

: to cause someone to do something or to act in a certain way

ac·tu·at·edac·tu·at·ing

Full Definition of ACTUATE

transitive verb
1
:  to put into mechanical action or motion
2
:  to move to action
ac·tu·a·tion \ˌak-chə-ˈwā-shən, -shə-\ noun
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Origin of ACTUATE

Medieval Latin actuatus, past participle of actuare to execute, from Latin actus act
First Known Use: 1645

Synonym Discussion of ACTUATE

move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position <moved the furniture>. actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion <turbines actuated by waterpower>. drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus <a ship driven aground by hurricane winds>. impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus <a candidate impelled by ambition>.

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with ACTUATE

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