pass

verb
UK: /pɑːs/
US: /pæs/

  1. To move past something or someone.

    1. I saw her pass by the window quickly. [ ] [ ]
    2. The train will pass through the tunnel in a few minutes, so be prepared for darkness. [ ] [ ]

  2. To go beyond or exceed a limit or standard.

    1. Did you pass the test with a good grade? [ ] [ ]
    2. The runner managed to pass his previous best time in the marathon event. [ ] [ ]

  3. To give something to someone else.

    1. Please pass the salt, I need it for my soup. [ ] [ ]
    2. Could you pass me the newspaper when you're finished reading it please [ ] [ ]

  4. To happen or take place.

    1. A lot of time did pass during the journey. [ ] [ ]
    2. Several years have passed since we last saw each other at the reunion. [ ] [ ]

  5. To approve or enact a law or proposal.

    1. Congress needs to pass this new important bill. [ ] [ ]
    2. The city council voted to pass the new zoning regulations after much debate. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

go transfer approve authorize proceed hand
pass noun

  1. An act of moving past something or someone.

    1. He made a pass to the side of the car. [ ] [ ]
    2. The car made a quick pass on the highway, overtaking us swiftly. [ ] [ ]

  2. A permit or authorization to enter or leave a place.

    1. Do you have a pass to enter the building? [ ] [ ]
    2. You'll need a security pass to gain access to the restricted areas inside. [ ] [ ]

  3. A successful completion of a test or course.

    1. I got a pass on the exam, I am so happy! [ ] [ ]
    2. She celebrated her exam pass with friends, relieved the stressful study period was over. [ ] [ ]

  4. A gap or opening, especially in mountains.

    1. They found a pass through the high mountains. [ ] [ ]
    2. The mountain pass provided a strategic route for trade and military movements. [ ] [ ]
pass idiom

  1. A situation or state of affairs.

    1. Things have come to a pretty pass now. [ ] [ ]
    2. We have reached a pretty pass when honesty is seen as a disadvantage. [ ] [ ]
pass intransitive-verb

  1. To refuse to participate or take a turn in a game or activity.

    1. I'll pass this time as I'm not feeling well. [ ] [ ]
    2. She decided to pass on the opportunity to invest, feeling it was too risky. [ ] [ ]
pass transitive-verb

  1. To transfer possession of something to someone else.

    1. Pass the ball to your teammate. [ ] [ ]
    2. He decided to pass his collection of stamps to his son when he moved. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "pass" in English means: To move past something or someone., To go beyond or exceed a limit or standard., To give something to someone else., To happen or take place., To approve or enact a law or proposal..

The phonetic transcription of "pass" is /pɑːs/ in British English and /pæs/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "pass": go, transfer, approve, authorize, proceed, hand.

Example usage of "pass": "I saw her pass by the window quickly.". More examples on the page.