Meaning

• A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.

• Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).

Meaning

• Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.

  "certain active principles"

• Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.

  "an active child or animal"

• In action; actually proceeding; working; in force

  "active hostilities"

• Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy

  "active mind"

• Requiring or implying action or exertion

  "active employment or service"

• Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative

  "an active rather than a speculative statesman"

• Brisk; lively.

  "an active demand for corn"

• Implying or producing rapid action.

  "an active disease"

• (heading, grammar) About verbs.

• (of source code) Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.

• Not passive.

• (gay sexual slang) (of a homosexual man) enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.