active active /ˈækˌtɪv/

adjective

1. () (pathology) tending to become more severe or wider in scope  ( active )
   (pathology) tending to become more severe or wider in scope
    Active tuberculosis
   active tuberculosis
   
2. () (military) engaged in or ready for military or naval operations  ( combat-ready , fighting , active )
   (military) engaged in or ready for military or naval operations
    On active duty
   on active duty
    The platoon is combat-ready
   the platoon is combat-ready
    Review the fighting forces
   review the fighting forces
   
3. () Disposed to take action or effectuate change  ( active )
   disposed to take action or effectuate change
    A director who takes an active interest in corporate operations
   a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations
    An active antagonism
   an active antagonism
    He was active in drawing attention to their grievances
   he was active in drawing attention to their grievances
   
4. () Taking part in an activity  ( participating , active )
   taking part in an activity
    An active member of the club
   an active member of the club
    He was politically active
   he was politically active
    The participating organizations
   the participating organizations
   
5. () Characterized by energetic activity  ( active )
   characterized by energetic activity
    An active toddler
   an active toddler
    Active as a gazelle
   active as a gazelle
    An active man is a man of action
   an active man is a man of action
   
6. () Full of activity or engaged in continuous activity  ( active )
   full of activity or engaged in continuous activity
    An active seaport
   an active seaport
    An active bond market
   an active bond market
    An active account
   an active account
   
7. () Exerting influence or producing a change or effect  ( active )
   exerting influence or producing a change or effect
    An active ingredient
   an active ingredient
   
8. () In operation  ( alive , active )
   in operation
    Keep hope alive
   keep hope alive
    The tradition was still alive
   the tradition was still alive
    An active tradition
   an active tradition
   
9. Engaged in full-time work  ( active )
   engaged in full-time work
    Active duty
   active duty
    Though past retirement age he is still active in his profession
   though past retirement age he is still active in his profession
   
10. (of e.g. volcanoes) erupting or liable to erupt  ( active )
    (of e.g. volcanoes) erupting or liable to erupt
     Active volcanos
    active volcanos
    
11. (of e.g. volcanoes) capable of erupting  ( active )
    (of e.g. volcanoes) capable of erupting
    
12. (used of verbs (e.g. to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. running' in running water')) expressing action rather than a state of being  ( active , dynamic )
    (used of verbs (e.g. to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. running' in running water')) expressing action rather than a state of being
    
13. (grammar) expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:  ( active )
    (grammar) expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:
     Hemingway favors active constructions
    Hemingway favors active constructions
    
14. (of the sun) characterized by an increased occurrence of sunspots and flares and radio emissions  ( active )
    (of the sun) characterized by an increased occurrence of sunspots and flares and radio emissions
    

noun

1. () Chemical agent capable of activity  ( active agent , active )
   chemical agent capable of activity
   
2. A person who is a participating member of an organization  ( active )
   a person who is a participating member of an organization
    The club issues a list of members, both the actives and the retirees
   the club issues a list of members, both the actives and the retirees
   
3. The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb  ( active , active voice )
   the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb
    The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice
   The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice