Main Entry: ¹pass

Pronunciation: \ˈpas\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French passer, from Vulgar Latin *passare, from Latin passus step — more at pace

Date: 13th century

intransitive verb 1 : move, proceed, go
2 a : to go away : depart b : die —often used with on
3 a : to move in a path so as to approach and continue beyond something : move past; especially : to move past another vehicle going in the same direction b : to run the normal course —used of time or a period of time <the hours pass quickly>
4 a : to go or make one's way through <allow no one to pass> b : to go uncensured, unchallenged, or seemingly unnoticed <let the remark pass>
5 : to go from one quality, state, or form to another <passes from a liquid to a gaseous state>
6 a : to sit in inquest or judgment b (1) : to render a decision, verdict, or opinion <the court passed on the legality of wiretapping> (2) : to become legally rendered <judgment passed for the plaintiff>
7 : to go from the control, ownership, or possession of one person or group to that of another <the throne passed to the king's son> <title passes to the buyer upon payment in full>
8 a : happen, occur b : to take place or be exchanged as or in a social, personal, or business interaction <words passed>
9 a : to become approved by a legislature or body empowered to sanction or reject <the proposal passed> b : to undergo an inspection, test, or course of study successfully
10 a : to serve as a medium of exchange b : to be accepted or regarded <drivel that passes for literature> c : to identify oneself or be identified as something one is not <tried to pass as an adult> <Mom could pass as my sister>
11 a obsolete : to make a pass in fencing b : to throw or hit a ball or puck to a teammate —often used with off
12 a (1) : to decline to bid, double, or redouble in a card game (2) : to withdraw from the current poker pot b : to let something go by without accepting or taking advantage of it —often used with on <passed on the cheesecake> <thanks for the offer, but I'll pass>transitive verb 1 : to go beyond: as a : surpass, exceed <passes all expectations> b : to advance or develop beyond c : to go past (one moving in the same direction)
2 a : to go by : proceed or extend beyond <pass the school on their way to work> b (1) obsolete : neglect, omit (2) : to omit a regularly scheduled declaration and payment of (a dividend)
3 a : to go across, over, or through : cross b : to live through (as an experience or peril) : undergo c : to go through (as a test) successfully
4 a : to secure the approval of <the bill passed the Senate> b : to cause or permit to win approval or legal or official sanction <pass a law> c : to give approval or a passing grade to <pass the students>
5 a : to let (as time or a period of time) go by especially while involved in a leisure activity <I'll read to pass the time> b : to let go unnoticed : overlook, disregard
6 a : pledge b : to transfer the right to or property in <pass title to a house>
7 a : to put in circulation <pass bad checks> b (1) : to transfer or transmit from one to another <pass the salt> <passing the savings on to customers> (2) : to relay or communicate (as information) to another c : to cause or enable to go : transport d : to throw or hit (a ball or puck) especially to a teammate
8 a : to pronounce (as a sentence or opinion) especially judicially b : utter <passed a cutting remark>
9 a : to cause or permit to go past or through a barrier b : to move or cause to move in a particular manner or direction <passed my hand over my face> <pass the rope through the loop> c : to cause to march or go by in order <pass the troops in review>
10 : to emit or discharge from a bodily part and especially the bowels
11 a : to give a base on balls to b : to hit a ball past (an opponent) in a game (as tennis)

— pass·er noun

— pass muster : to gain approval or acceptance

— pass the buck : to shift a responsibility to someone else

— pass the hat : to take up a collection for money

— pass the time of day : to exchange greetings or engage in pleasant conversation