Final answer:
Anything that does not amplify a signal is considered a passive component in electronics, which includes resistors, capacitors, and inductors that do not introduce gain and do not need a power source to operate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anything that does not provide amplification of the signal is considered a passive component or device. In electronics, a passive component is one that does not require a power source to operate, nor does it introduce gain (increase in power) into the system. Examples of passive components include resistors, capacitors, and inductors. These elements are used to manage the flow of electricity within circuits through resistance, storage of charge, and magnetic fields, respectively. Unlike active components such as transistors and operational amplifiers, which are capable of providing amplification, passive components can only attenuate or maintain the signal level.