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

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