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pas·sion | \ ˈpa-shən 
\
\Definition of passion
1 often capitalized
a : the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death
b : an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion
Bach's St. Matthew Passion
3 : the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces
moldable and not moldable … and many other passions of matter— Francis Bacon
4a(1) : emotion his ruling passion is greed
(2) passions plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason
a study of the passions
b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
with enough passion to make a great poet— W. B. Yeats
c : an outbreak of anger
a crime of passion
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Other Words from passion
passionless \ ˈpa-shən-ləs \ adjective
\ adjective
Examples of passion in a Sentence
If anyone had asked me what my passions were, I would have said building fires, climbing cliffs, going on long hikes in the woods … — Paul Theroux, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001 The gods themselves had passions and frailties—these are the stuff of the myths. — James Salter, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 1997 The skin is dry and as chaste and beautiful as old paper. But I remember the passion inspired by those fingers, their gifted, sly, infinitely provocative caresses and gestures. — Richard Selzer, Discover, February 1994 Polo was the Khan's passion. He cared for little else, and when his armies moved, he moved with them, because he couldn't stand to be without the game. — Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work.
a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress
Her performance is full of passion and originality.
She spoke with passion about preserving the building.
The crime was committed in a fit of passion.
Music has always been his passion.
She developed a passion for opera.
a student with a passion for literature
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Recent Examples on the Web As in any other love story, the happy-and-together part is brief, but Nicholls writes about it with so much passion that the book is bound to shake loose some memories of your own first folly.
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Kyle Smith, National Review, "Sweet Sorrow: A Fond Look at First Love," 10 Sep. 2020 Druyan and Sagan’s passion for science and knack for storytelling has inspired countless skywatchers, including Neil deGrasse Tyson and Seth MacFarlane, who presented a new series of Cosmos in 2014.
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Lars Brandle, Billboard, "The Avalanches Set Third Album ‘We Will Always Love You’," 10 Sep. 2020 DeMarinis grew up near New York but developed a passion for her rural school and Potosi, a town of 2,600 residents, Heissenbuttel said.
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CBS News, "Coronavirus-related deaths of young teachers raise alarm as new school year begins," 10 Sep. 2020 At the same time, Grossman has always been driven by a passion for teaching.
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Zachary Lewis, cleveland, "Contemporary Youth Orchestra enters new era as founder Liza Grossman departs," 10 Sep. 2020 The flat black surfaces might recall speakers, a relevant visual given Rothko’s passion for music, particularly Mozart.
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Sallie Lewis, WSJ, "Inside The Holy Restoration of Houston’s Rothko Chapel," 8 Sep. 2020 Everything is bigger in Texas, and true Texas passion for big Texas things is what feeds Buc-ee's.
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Abigail Rosenthal, Houston Chronicle, "Buc-ee's is reportedly heading to North Carolina. I hope they appreciate it.," 8 Sep. 2020 His presence there is perhaps the most fitting, if not for passion, but for timing.
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Michael Mccleary, The Indianapolis Star, "“This very possibly is going to be my last year”: Jack Beckman is savoring every moment of history," 6 Sep. 2020 The mother and daughter also shared a passion for muscle cars and motorcycles.
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Faith Karimi, CNN, "Breonna Taylor had big plans before police knocked down her door in deadly raid," 6 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for passion
passion
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of passion
: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something
: a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way
: a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone
See the full definition for passion in the English Language Learners Dictionary
passion
nounpas·sion | \ ˈpa-shən \
\Kids Definition of passion
1 : a strong feeling or emotion
He spoke with passion.
2 : an object of someone's love, liking, or desire
Art is my passion.
3 : strong liking or desire : love She has a passion for music.
passion
nounpas·sion | \ ˈpa-shən \
\Legal Definition of passion
: intense, driving, or overpowering feeling or emotion especially : any violent or intense emotion that prevents reflection — see also heat of passion
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Time Traveler for passion
The first known use of passion was in the 13th century
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