26984 words

passed

19 definitions • 28 examples
1
past simple and past participle of
2
to go past something or someone or move in relation to it, him, or her:

Examples:

I passed him on the stairs this morning.
You should only pass a slower vehicle if it is safe to do so.
If you pass a supermarket, could you get me some milk?
I was just passing by (= going past the place where you are), so I thought I'd drop in for a chat.
A momentary look of anxiety passed across his face.
A cloud passed over the sun.
3
to go past a particular point in time:

Examples:

Don't buy goods that have passed their sell-by date.
4
to go past something by being greater in amount or degree:

Examples:

The company's turnover is expected to pass the $10 million mark by the end of this year.
5
If you say a state or feeling will pass, you mean it will disappear:

Examples:

Don't worry, his depression is only temporary - it'll soon pass.
6
to be successful in an exam, course, etc.:

Examples:

Guess what? I've passed my driving test!
The exam is so hard that only five percent of all applicants pass.
7
to give something to someone:

Examples:

Could you pass the salt please?
I asked if I could see the letter, so she passed it to me reluctantly.
[ + two objects ] Gerald passed me the note./Gerald passed the note to me.
Genes are the means by which parents' characteristics are passed on to their children.
8
In sports, if you pass the ball, you kick, throw, or hit it to someone in your team.
9
If you pass money, you give someone false or stolen money without telling them:

Examples:

[ + two objects ] I haven't trusted him since he passed me a forged $100 bill.
10
When time passes, it goes past:

Examples:

Time seems to pass (by) so slowly when you're bored.
I was a little worried about the party, but the evening passed without any great disasters.
11
If you pass a period of time, you do something to stop yourself being bored during that period:

Examples:

The visitors pass their days swimming, windsurfing, and playing volleyball.
12
(of an official group of people) to give approval to something, especially by voting to make it law:

Examples:

The government passed a law to restrict the sale of guns.
The food supplement had been passed as safe for human consumption.
13
to express a judgment or opinion about something, especially someone else's behaviour:

Examples:

As a convicted criminal, he's in no position to pass judgment (on the rest of us).
14
to say officially, as a judge, what a criminal's official punishment will be
15
to die:

Examples:

After she passed, the doctors wanted to do an autopsy.
His wife was at his side when he passed peacefully this morning.
16
to remove waste from the body:

Examples:

to pass urine
17
to have blood in your urine or faeces (= solid waste):

Examples:

If you pass blood, you should go and see your doctor.
18
to choose not to play in a part of a game or not to answer a question in a quiz
19
to change from one state to another:

Examples:

Wax passes from solid to liquid when you heat it.

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