passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpȯrt 

plural passports

1

a

: a formal document issued by an authorized official of a country to one of its citizens that is usually necessary for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance with visa requirements, and that requests protection for the citizen while abroad

b

: a license issued by a country permitting a foreign citizen to pass or take goods through its territory : safe-conduct

c

: a document of identification required by law to be carried by persons residing or traveling within a country

2

a

: a permission or authorization to go somewhere

b

: something that secures admission, acceptance, or attainment

education as a passport to success

see also vaccine passport

Synonyms

• ticket
• key
• gateway

Examples of passport in a Sentence

meeting that movie director could be your passport to a big acting career

to its followers, the cult seemed like their passport to heaven

Recent Examples on the Web

One easy-access zippered pocket on the front will hold a portable charger or your passport in a pinch, and it’s sustainably made from recycled polyester fabric. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025

With a free mobile passport, enjoy discounts, half-price appetizers, even a free glass of wine with an entrée at Well Hung Vineyard. —Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025

Now, at 19 years old, he's got five completely full passports and a slew of remarkable life experiences under his belt. —Vanessa Romo, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025

Also recorded will be your passport information (full name and date of birth), the dates and places of entry and exit into Schengen. —Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) pasport, from Middle French passeport, from passer to pass + port port, from Latin portus — more at ford

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing passport

• vaccine passport

Rhymes for passport

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

Kids Definition

passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpō(ə)rt 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: a government-issued document that serves to identify a citizen and allows him or her to travel to foreign countries

2

: something that allows a person to reach a desired goal

education can be a passport to a successful future