laissez-passer

noun

lais·sez-pas·ser ˌle-ˌsā-ˌpa-ˈsā

ˌlā-,

-ˌzā-

: permit, pass

Word History

Etymology

French, from laissez passer let (someone) pass

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of laissez-passer was in 1914

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Browse Nearby Words

laissez-faireism

laissez-passer

lait

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Laissez-passer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laissez-passer. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.

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