1.  activate(v = verb.creation) actuate, set off, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger, trigger off, trip - put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits"
is one way to initiate, pioneer
Derived form noun activation₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something

2.  activate(v = verb.change) - make active or more active; "activate an old file"
is one way to alter, change, modify
Antonym: inactivate
Derived forms noun activation₃, noun activator₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s somebody; Something ----s something

3.  activate(v = verb.change) - make more adsorptive; "activate a metal"
is one way to alter, change, modify
Derived form noun activation₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something

4.  activate(v = verb.change) aerate - aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter;
is one way to alter, change, modify
Derived form noun activation₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something

5.  activate(v = verb.change) - make (substances) radioactive;
is one way to alter, change, modify
Derived form noun activation₁
Sample sentences: Something ----s something

   To make active. [1913 Webster]

activate, v.tr.
1 make active; bring into action.
2 Chem. cause reaction in; excite (a substance, molecules, etc.).
3 Physics make radioactive.

Idiom:
activated carbon carbon, esp. charcoal, treated to increase its adsorptive power. activated sludge aerated sewage containing aerobic bacteria.

Derivative:
activation n. activator n.