passport

pass·port

noun \ˈpas-ˌpȯrt\

Definition of PASSPORT

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>

Examples of PASSPORT

1. <meeting that movie director could be your passport to a big acting career>
2. <to its followers, the cult seemed like their passport to heaven>

Origin of PASSPORT

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

Related to PASSPORT

Synonyms

gateway, key, open sesame, secret, ticket

Related Words

password; accomplishment, achievement, attainment, coup, success, triumph; approach, manner, means, method, style, system, technique, way; blueprint, design, ground plan, plan, program, scheme, strategy

Near Antonyms

discharge, dismissal, ejection, expulsion, ouster, rejection, removal

Rhymes with PASSPORT

abort, airport, amort, aport, assort, athwart, backcourt, bellwort, birthwort, bistort, blood sport, Bridgeport, carport, cavort, cohort, colewort, comport, consort, contort, crosscourt, deport, disport, distort, downcourt, effort, escort, exhort, export, extort, fall short, figwort, forecourt, for short, free port, frontcourt, glasswort, Gosport, Gulfport, half-court, homeport, home port, in short, jetport, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, Newport, outport, presort, purport, ragwort, report, re-sort, resort, retort, sandwort, seaport, sell short, Shreveport, spaceport, spearwort, spoilsport, Stockport, support, toothwort, transport

passport

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Document issued by a national government identifying a traveler as a citizen with a right to protection while abroad and a right to return to the country of citizenship. It is normally a small booklet containing a description and photograph of the bearer. Most nations require entering travelers to obtain a visa, an endorsement on the passport showing that the proper authorities have examined it and permitting the bearer to enter the country and remain for a specified period.