Deactivate

Deactivate is a verb meaning to render something inactive or non-operational. It can refer to turning off a device, suspending an account, or removing an active status from a service or process. The term derives from the prefix de- meaning “remove” or “reverse” and activate.

In technology and computing, deactivate commonly means to disable a feature, stop a user’s access, or halt a running service. Examples include deactivating a software license, deactivating a user account, or deactivating a device to prevent it from sending data. Deactivation is sometimes temporary, with the possibility of reactivating later.

In science, deactivation describes processes that render a biological system, chemical catalyst, or toxin nonfunctional. Enzymes may be deactivated by inhibitors or extreme conditions; pathogens may be deactivated for vaccines or sterilization; catalysts can be deactivated to halt reactions. The term is also used in discussions of deactivation energy in chemistry and, in pharmacology, in distinguishing activation from deactivation of compounds.

In policy and everyday use, deactivation can refer to suspending services, decommissioning equipment, or removing an entitlement. Deactivation differs from permanent deletion: in many systems, deactivated data remains retrievable or restorable under certain policies.