active transport

noun

: the movement of a chemical substance by the expenditure of energy against a gradient in concentration or in electrical potential across a plasma membrane compare passive transport

Examples of active transport in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This may partly account for why, even in Luton, one-fifth of the children studied switched from car-based to active transport during the study period. —Christine Ro, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Compared to the baseline, 42% of the central London children switched from car-riding to active transport (walking, cycling, scootering, and/or using public transport). —Christine Ro, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

In Luton, 21% of the children transitioned to passive transport, so that essentially there was no change in rates of active transport. —Christine Ro, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

active transport

noun

: the movement (as across a cell membrane) of substances from regions of lower concentration to regions of higher concentration by the use of energy

Medical Definition

active transport

noun

: movement of a chemical substance by the expenditure of energy against a gradient in concentration or electrical potential across a plasma membrane