Usage Note
actionner is used for mechanically triggering a device or system: actionner un levier (pull a lever), actionner les freins (apply the brakes). It also has a legal sense: actionner quelqu'un en justice means to take legal action against someone. The legal use is formal.
Examples
"Il faut actionner ce bouton pour démarrer la machine."
Natural Translation
You need to press this button to start the machine.

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