Passover

1 of 2

noun

Pass·​over ˈpas-ˌō-vər 

: a Jewish holiday beginning on the 14th of Nisan and commemorating the Hebrews' liberation from slavery in Egypt

pass over

2 of 2

verb

passed over; passing over; passes over

transitive verb

1

: to ignore in passing

2

: to pay no attention to the claims of : disregard

Synonyms

Verb

• bypass
• disregard
• forget
• ignore
• neglect
• overlook
• overpass
• slight
• slur (over)

Examples of Passover in a Sentence

Verb

you seem to have passed over an important e-mail notice

I'd be willing to pass over this latest episode of tardiness if there hadn't been so many before.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These Seders are just one example of the powerful allyship of those at the encampments welcoming the Seder, and Jewish Americans choosing to honor Passover at the encampments. —Iman Jodeh, The Denver Post, 10 June 2024

For Israeli Jewish citizens, the times move intensely from Passover, the holiday of freedom; to tragic Holocaust Memorial Day; to Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror; to the triumphant celebrations of Independence Day; to the anniversary of the Six Days War. —Eetta Prince-Gibson, TIME, 4 June 2024

Verb

But 13 years into his run, Mr. Friedman, then 43, was passed over for the job of chief executive. —David Segal, New York Times, 8 June 2024

The air passes over a special filter that uses a base to attract and trap carbon dioxide, which is mildly acidic. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from the exemption of the Israelites from the slaughter of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:23–27)

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Passover

1 of 2 noun

Pass·​over ˈpas-ˌō-vər 

: a Jewish holiday celebrated in March or April in honor of the freeing of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt

pass over

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)pas-ˈō-vər

1

: to ignore in passing

2

: to pay no attention to

Etymology

Noun

so called because in Exodus 12:23–27 the Lord passes over the homes of the Israelites in killing the firstborn in Egypt