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 of passport

• 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

Australians try to leave In February, a group of Australian women and their children obtained passports and were allowed by the camp to leave. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026

Our own editors have run the gamut of unexpected setbacks abroad, including getting mugged and pickpocketed, as well as having their passports stolen. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026

While there was a brief pushback in the third period from a 26-point deficit, ultimately nothing more to the night than passports ready for immigration and customs. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2026

Then, those who purchase wine trail passports can enjoy three 1-ounce tastings at each of the eight participating winery tasting rooms, along with a food tasting at each room. —Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 2026

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