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

But reclaiming the narrative could make the past feel more like yours. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Cubans, who in the past could turn to the Cuban Adjustment Act — which allows eligible Cuban nationals to apply for permanent residency after being present in the United States for at least a year — face a different landscape today. — Maykel Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

Harbaugh’s teams have swept the Raiders each of the past two seasons. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Over the past 25 years, the mix of problems experienced by September 11 survivors has changed, too. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the past

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