the past

noun

1

: an earlier time : the time before the present

happy memories of the past

In the past, there was a company luncheon every month.

2

grammar : a verb tense that is used to refer to the past : the past tense

The past of "walk" is "walked."

Examples of the past in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smitten Booktique has been a rolling romance book concept for the past year (and offering books inside a Painted Tree booth for two). —Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025

Over the past decade, Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny has emerged as one of the island’s most outspoken cultural ambassadors. —Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025

While further research and genetic evidence will be necessary to confirm these findings, CBS News and BBC News report that this skull offers one of the most detailed glimpses yet into how our ancestors diversified and co-existed with sister species over the past million years. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

Today in history Here are just some of the historic events on this date in the past. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for the past

• aghast
• amassed
• biassed
• broadcast
• bypassed
• downcast
• forecast
• foremast
• harassed
• holdfast
• mainmast
• newscast