trigger
TRIG-er
/ˈtrɪɡər/
An event, condition, or action that initiates or causes a subsequent automated process or reaction.
In smart home logic, a trigger is the 'If' part of an 'If This, Then That' statement. It is the specific spark that sets off a pre-programmed chain reaction.
The story behind the word. The word 'trigger' comes from the Dutch word 'trekker', which literally means 'that which pulls', from the verb 'trekken' (to pull). Originally, it referred to the small metal catch on a crossbow or firearm that, when pulled, released the firing pin. In the computer age, it was adopted to describe any event that releases a pre-loaded action.
Word relationships
- initiate: Initiate is a formal verb meaning to start a process, whereas trigger specifically implies a sudden, automatic, or chain-reaction style of starting.
- spark: Spark is a metaphorical term for starting something, while trigger is used technically to describe a precise, rule-based cause and effect.
- halt: Halt means to stop a process that is already running, whereas trigger means to start one.
- suppress: Suppress means to prevent an action or reaction from occurring, even if the triggering condition is met.
Commonly confused with
- condition: A trigger is the instantaneous event that starts an action (e.g., 'at 8:00 AM'), while a condition is a state that must be true for the action to happen (e.g., 'only if I am home').
Word family
- triggered (adjective): Activated or caused by a specific event.
- triggering (noun): The act of initiating a process.
Collocations
- trigger an action
- event trigger
- trigger mechanism
- automatically trigger
Idioms & expressions
- quick on the trigger
- pull the trigger
Example sentences
- "Opening the front door will trigger the welcome lights to turn on and the thermostat to adjust to seventy degrees." Smart home automation rules
- "A sudden drop in outdoor temperature acted as a trigger for the smart heating system to activate." Describing a cause-and-effect event
Memory hook
Think of a gun's trigger: a tiny pull of the finger causes a massive, immediate, and automatic reaction. A trigger sparks the action.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'action'. The trigger is the cause (e.g., detecting motion), while the action is the effect (e.g., turning on the light).
Fun facts
- In database management, a 'trigger' is a procedural code that automatically executes in response to certain events on a particular table.
Also appears in
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