An Encylopedia Britannica Company

pass

1 pass /ˈpæs/ Brit /ˈpɑːs/ verb
passes; passed; passing
1 pass
/ˈpæs/ Brit /ˈpɑːs/
verb
passes; passed; passing
Britannica Dictionary definition of PASS
: to move past someone or something
[no object]
often + by
[+ object]
often + by
: to move past someone or something that is moving more slowly in the same direction
[no object]
[+ object]
always followed by an adverb or preposition
[no object] : to move or go into or through a particular place
often + through
[+ object] : to cause (something) to move or go in a specified way
[+ object] : to give (something) to someone using your hands
sports : to throw, hit, or kick a ball or puck to a teammate
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object]
: to cause someone to have or be affected by (something that you have had or been affected by)
often + on
sometimes + along
: to give (information) to another person often + on
often + along
[no object]
: to go from one person to another person
: to be given to someone especially according to a law, rule, etc.
of time
[no object] : to go by
[+ object] : to let (time or a period of time) go by especially while you are doing something enjoyable
[no object]
: to happen or take place
often + between
: to end or go away
[no object] : to be done, said, etc., without producing a response
10 
[no object]
: to not take, accept, or use something that is offered to you often + on
: to decide not to do something at a particular point in a game (such as a card game) when it is your turn
11 
: to complete (a test, class, etc.) successfully
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to decide that (someone) has passed an examination or course of study
12 
[+ object] : to officially approve (a law, bill, etc.)
chiefly US : to become approved by (a legislature)
[+ object]
[no object]
13 
[+ object] formal : to say or state (something) especially in an official way
14 
[+ object] : to go beyond (a number or amount) usually used with mark
15 
[no object] : to change from one state or form to another
16 
[no object] : to be good enough : to be adequate
17 
[+ object] : to illegally use (checks, bills, etc., with no real value) as money
18 
[+ object] : to have (something) come out from your body
see also pass gas at 1gas, pass water at 1water
19 
[no object] : to die used as a polite way to avoid saying the word “die” see also pass away, pass on (below)

come to pass

see 1come

pass as

[phrasal verb]
pass as (someone or something) : to cause people to believe that you are (someone or something that you are not)
pass as (something) : to be accepted or regarded as (something)

pass away

[phrasal verb]
: to die used as a polite way to avoid saying the word “die”

pass by

[phrasal verb]
pass (someone) by
: to happen without being noticed or acted upon by (someone)
see also 1pass 1a (above)

pass down

[phrasal verb]
pass (something) down or pass down (something)
: to give (something) to a younger person especially within the same family

pass for

[phrasal verb]
pass for (something)
: to be accepted or regarded as (something)

pass in

[phrasal verb]
pass (something) in or pass in (something)
: to give (something) to a person who will review it

pass muster

see 2muster

pass off

[phrasal verb]
pass (someone or something) off as (someone or something) or pass off (someone or something) as (someone or something) : to cause people to wrongly believe that someone or something is someone or something else
British : to happen or take place in a particular way

pass on

[phrasal verb]
: to die used as a polite way to avoid saying the word “die”

pass out

[phrasal verb]
: to fall asleep or become unconscious
pass out (something) or pass (something) out : to give (something) to several or many people

pass over

[phrasal verb]
pass over (someone) or pass (someone) over : to not choose (someone) for a job, position, etc.
often + for
pass over (something) or pass (something) over : to leave out (something)
: to not discuss or deal with (something)

pass the buck

see 1buck

pass the hat

see hat

pass the torch

see 1torch

pass up

[phrasal verb]
pass up (something) or pass (something) up
: to not take or accept (something that is offered to you)

pass your lips

of words : to come out of your mouth : to be spoken
of food or drink : to go into your mouth : to be eaten or drunk
2 pass /ˈpæs/ Brit /ˈpɑːs/ noun
plural passes
2 pass
/ˈpæs/ Brit /ˈpɑːs/
noun
plural passes
Britannica Dictionary definition of PASS
[count]
sports : an act of throwing, hitting, or kicking a ball or puck to a teammate
see also bounce pass, screen pass, shovel pass
: a card or ticket which shows that you are allowed to enter or leave a particular place or to ride a vehicle
see also boarding pass
: a single, complete set of actions that are done together as a stage in a process
: an act of moving over a place
chiefly British : a grade which shows that you have passed a test or class

make a pass at

: to do or say something that clearly shows you want to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with (someone)
compare 3pass
3 pass /ˈpæs/ Brit /ˈpɑːs/ noun
plural passes
3 pass
/ˈpæs/ Brit /ˈpɑːs/
noun
plural passes
Britannica Dictionary definition of PASS
[count] : a low place in a mountain range where a road or path goes through
[singular] somewhat formal : a usually bad situation or condition
compare 2pass