passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpȯrt 

plural passports

1

a

: a formal document issued by an authorized official of a country to one of its citizens that is usually necessary for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance with visa requirements, and that requests protection for the citizen while abroad

b

: a license issued by a country permitting a foreign citizen to pass or take goods through its territory : safe-conduct

c

: a document of identification required by law to be carried by persons residing or traveling within a country

2

a

: a permission or authorization to go somewhere

b

: something that secures admission, acceptance, or attainment

education as a passport to success

see also vaccine passport

Synonyms

• gateway
• key
• open sesame
• secret
• ticket

Examples of passport in a Sentence

meeting that movie director could be your passport to a big acting career

to its followers, the cult seemed like their passport to heaven

Recent Examples on the Web

On May 7, travelers were required to present a REAL ID or a U.S. passport to board a domestic flight or access certain federal facilities, according to information from the DMV. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2025

Full ban on entry Partial ban on entry Notes: Exceptions will be made for lawful U.S. permanent residents, specific visa holders from Afghanistan and Iran, adoptions, dual nationals traveling on passports from unrestricted countries and athletic teams traveling for the World Cup or the Olympics. —Jocelyn Shek, NBC news, 6 June 2025

Harry and Meghan reportedly considered changing their children’s surname to Spencer after a delay in receiving their children's passports. —Greta Bjornson, People.com, 5 June 2025

Dual nationals who have a passport not designated under the travel ban. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) pasport, from Middle French passeport, from passer to pass + port port, from Latin portus — more at ford

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing passport

• vaccine passport

Rhymes for passport

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

Kids Definition

passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpō(ə)rt 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: a government-issued document that serves to identify a citizen and allows him or her to travel to foreign countries

2

: something that allows a person to reach a desired goal

education can be a passport to a successful future