Reactivate

Reactivate is a verb meaning to make active again after a period of inactivity or suspension. It can refer to restoring a device, service, account, or process to full functioning status. The word combines the prefix re- with activate, and is used across many domains. In technology, to reactivate an account or license means to restore access after a temporary deactivation, expiring subscription, or policy change. This often involves verification, updating payment details, or agreeing to updated terms. In software, a feature or module may be reactivated after being disabled for maintenance or risk mitigation.

In business and customer relations, reactivation refers to bringing back a dormant customer, contract, or service. In finance, a dormant account may be reactivated upon customer request, identity verification, and compliance checks.

In medicine and biology, reactivation describes the return of activity of a latent agent or immune response, such as reactivation of a latent viral infection under stress or immunosuppression. The related noun reactivation appears frequently in virology and immunology literature.

Etymology: from Latin activare via French or English, with the prefix re- indicating repetition or return to a former state.

See also activation, deactivation, renewal, subscription management.