Meaning of activate

ac•ti•vate

1. to make active; cause to function or act.
2. to activate a molecule.
1. to render more reactive; excite:to activate a molecule.
2. to induce radioactivity.
3. to aerate (sewage) in order to accelerate decomposition of impure organic matter by microorganisms.
1. to make (carbon, a catalyst, molecules, etc.) more active.
2. to hasten (reactions) by various means, as heating.
5. to place (a military unit or station) on an active status in an assigned capacity.