passion

noun

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

2 obsolete : suffering

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

5a : ardent affection : love He had never felt such passion for any woman but her.

b : a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept a passion for chess a passion for opera

c : sexual desire a look of passion in her face

d : an object of desire or deep interest

Other Words from passion Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about passion

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Choose the Right Synonym for passion

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable. was a slave to his passions fervor implies a warm and steady emotion. read the poem aloud with great fervor ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived. the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity. never showed much enthusiasm for sports zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause. preaches with fanatical zeal

synonyms see in addition feeling

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

Recent Examples on the Web

My double-mindedness persists in the Age of Trump, as the passions of my parents’ 1930s seem to replay themselves in 21st-century variations. — Lance Morrow, WSJ, "America Is Torn Between Trump’s Fibs and Progressives’ Fantasies," 15 Feb. 2019 At every meetup, we're blown away by such a strong, shared passion for travel—but seeing how many women wouldn't let a single thing keep them home was a reminder of what Women Who Travel is all about. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, "Inside the Women Who Travel Meetups: San Francisco," 28 Nov. 2018 Refined Kitsch Hair Accessories Rule Simone Rocha can always be relied upon for above-the-neck flourishes—and with passion for hair accessories reaching a fever pitch, the Irish designer did not disappoint. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "5 Beauty Trends That Swept the London Runways This Week," 20 Feb. 2019 That little boy with a passion for rockets ascended to stardom after Hitler plunged Germany into the Second World War. — Alex Hollings, Popular Mechanics, "The Saturn V Story: From Nazi Roots to America's Moon Rocket," 6 Feb. 2019 Wellness trends come and go, but there’s a lot to be said for the vigor of collaborative wisdom filtered through the ages and delivered with passion. — Daisy Finer, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Golden Door Is the World's Most Iconic Spa," 21 Dec. 2018 When the dispensary posted a picture of the scout to Instagram, commenters responded with passion on all sides. — Rachel Sugar, Vox, "2018 was a difficult year for cookies," 21 Dec. 2018 Still, Kevin Hunter has found a way to meld the scientific and technical aspects of cars with his passion for the arts by spending 35 years working for Calty Design Research, Toyota Motor Corporation’s North American design studio. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Lexus' Latest Concept Car Was Inspired By a Copper Pot," 18 Dec. 2018 In 1997, years before a casting agent discovered Joanna Gaines through a 2012 blog post on DesignMom.com, Darryl Carter was a Washington, D.C.-area lawyer with a passion for decorating when his home landed on the cover of Metropolitan Home magazine. — Laura Fenton, Curbed, "How the ‘modern farmhouse’ look took over," 21 Nov. 2018

These 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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Dictionary Entries near passion

pass into history

pass into law

pass into the hands of

Statistics for passion

Last Updated

18 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for passion

The first known use of passion was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for passion

passion

noun

English 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

noun

pas·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

noun

pas·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