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past participle

noun

Definition of past participle

: a participle that typically expresses completed action, that is traditionally one of the principal parts of the verb, and that is traditionally used in English in the formation of perfect tenses in the active voice and of all tenses in the passive voice

See past participle defined for English-language learners

See past participle defined for kids

Examples of past participle in a Sentence

  1. The verbs “thrown” in “the ball has been thrown” and “raised” in “many hands were raised” are past participles.

Recent Examples of past participle from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'past participle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of past participle

1798

in the meaning defined above

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PAST PARTICIPLE Defined for English Language Learners

past participle

noun

Definition of past participle for English Language Learners

  • grammar : the form of the verb that is used with “have” in perfect tenses and with “be” in passive constructions

PAST PARTICIPLE Defined for Kids

past participle

noun

Definition of past participle for Students

: a word that expresses completed action and is one of the principal parts of a verb
  • The words “raised” in “many hands were raised” and “thrown” in “the ball has been thrown” are past participles.

Learn More about past participle

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of past participle Nglish: Translation of past participle for Spanish speakers

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past participle

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