"Inactivated" refers to a process where something is rendered inactive or non-functional. This term is often used in scientific contexts, such as in microbiology, where viruses or bacteria are inactivated to prevent them from causing disease. Inactivated agents can be used in vaccines, allowing the immune system to recognize and respond to the pathogen without the risk of infection. In addition to biological applications, "inactivated" can describe any system or mechanism that has been disabled or turned off. For example, an inactivated alarm system means it is not currently operational, ensuring that it does not respond to triggers or alerts.