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
Much has changed over the past few days, however.
—
Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Overall, European leaders’ positive reception of Rubio’s speech reflected how horrifically damaged the transatlantic relationship has been by the past year of turmoil over Ukraine, and month of arson over Greenland.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Curry won't be playing for only the third time in the past 13 years, while the World team will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two former league MVPs.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
The Berlin showing marks a new chapter for a region that has spent the past decade building one of Europe’s most dynamic audiovisual ecosystems.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the past
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Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Overall, European leaders’ positive reception of Rubio’s speech reflected how horrifically damaged the transatlantic relationship has been by the past year of turmoil over Ukraine, and month of arson over Greenland.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Curry won't be playing for only the third time in the past 13 years, while the World team will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two former league MVPs.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
The Berlin showing marks a new chapter for a region that has spent the past decade building one of Europe’s most dynamic audiovisual ecosystems.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the past
Cite this Entry
“The past.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20past. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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