PASS | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English: from Old French passer, based on Latin passus ‘pace’

move or cause to move in a specified direction

move in specified direction

• he passed through towns and villages
• a plane was passing lazily overhead
• the freedom to pass along the highway
• they passed from view
• he passed a weary hand across his forehead
• pass an electric current through it

go past or across; leave behind or on one side in proceeding

go past or across

• on the way to the station she passed a cinema
• the two vehicles had no room to pass each other
• we will not let you pass

(of time) elapse; go by

elapse or go by

• the day and night passed slowly

transfer (something) to someone, especially by handing or bequeathing it to the next person in a series

transfer to someone

• your letter has been passed to Mr Rich for action
• pass the milk
• the poem was passed from generation to generation
• he passed her a cup

(of a candidate) be successful in (an examination, test, or course)

be successful in examination etc.

• she passed her driving test

(of a legislative or other official body) approve or put into effect (a proposal or law) by voting on it

approve proposal or law

• the bill was passed despite fierce opposition

pronounce (a judgement or judicial sentence)

pronounce judgement or sentence

• passing judgement on these crucial issues
• it is now my duty to pass sentence upon you

discharge (something, especially urine or faeces) from the body

discharge urine or faeces

• she may have difficulty in passing urine

forgo one's turn in a game or an offered opportunity to do or have something

forgo turn or opportunity

• we pass on pudding and have coffee

an act or instance of moving past or through something

act of moving past or through

• repeated passes with the swipe card
• an unmarked plane had been making passes over his house

a success in an examination, test, or course

success in examination etc.

• an A-level pass in Music
• a 100 per cent pass rate

a card, ticket, or permit giving authorization for the holder to enter or have access to a place, form of transport, or event

card authorizing holder to enter place

• a bus pass
• you could only get in with a pass

(in soccer, rugby, and other games) an act of kicking, hitting, or throwing the ball to another player on the same side

act of passing ball

• his cross-field pass to Giggs

an amorous or sexual advance made to someone

amorous or sexual advance

• she made a pass at Stephen

a rejection or dismissal

rejection

• those who don't like oily food may want to give this a pass
• I took a pass on his request for help

a state or situation of a specified, usually undesirable, nature

bad or difficult situation

• things came to such a pass that these gentlemen sat coldly at the meetings not daring to speak out freely and honestly
• this is a sad pass for a fixture that used to crackle with excitement

an act of refraining from bidding during the auction.

act of refraining from bidding

said when one does not know the answer to a question, for example in a quiz

said when not knowing answer to question

• to the enigmatic question we answered ‘Pass’