Definition of passion
1 often capitalized a : the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his deathb : 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 passionsb : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction with enough passion to make a great poet — W. B. Yeatsc : 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 operac : sexual desire a look of passion in her faced : an object of desire or deep interest
Read the Latest from M-W
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
Origin and Etymology of passion
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin passion-, passio suffering, being acted upon, from Latin pati to suffer — more at patient
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonym Discussion of passion
synonyms see in addition feeling
PASSION Defined for English Language Learners
passion
playDefinition of passion for English Language Learners
-
: 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
PASSION Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
passion
playLegal Definition of passion
: intense, driving, or overpowering feeling or emotion; especially : any violent or intense emotion that prevents reflection — see also heat of passion
Learn More about passion
-
See words that rhyme with passion Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for passion Spanish Central: Translation of passion Nglish: Translation of passion for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of passion for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about passion
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up passion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!