actuate Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb put in motion or move to act
activate; touch off; trigger off; set off; trigger; spark off; spark; trip.
- trigger a reaction
- actuate the circuits
verb give an incentive for action
motivate; prompt; propel; incite; move.
- This moved me to sacrifice my career

LL. actuatus, p. p. of actuare, fr. L. actus act.

imperfect & past participle Actuated present participle & verbal noun Actuating

To put into action or motion; to move or incite to action; to influence actively; to move as motives do; -- more commonly used of persons.
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion. Johnson.

Men of the greatest abilities are most fired with ambition; and, on the contrary, mean and narrow minds are the least actuated by it. Addison.
To carry out in practice; to perform. Obs. "To actuate what you command." Jer. Taylor. Syn. -- To move; impel; incite; rouse; instigate; animate.