pass away

verb

passed away; passing away; passes away

intransitive verb

1
: to go out of existence
2

Examples of pass away in a Sentence

the old woman passed away quietly
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The late-night host shared a photo on Instagram of himself with legendary television producer Norman Lear, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 101. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 Broder passed away on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025 Long after John Quincy Adams passed away in 1848 (collapsing of a stroke while working at his desk in the Capitol), newer versions emerged—as Jim Crow laws, after the failure of Reconstruction in the 1870s, and later as the filibuster during the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century. Time, 24 Sep. 2025 Signs in the audience spoke of ex-boyfriends, dead sisters and a mom whose three-month-old son recently passed away. Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pass away

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pass away was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pass away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20away. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pass away

verb

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