1
always used before a noun
: having existed in a time before the present : from, done, or used in an earlier time
The museum displays artifacts from past [=earlier] civilizations.
She was hired based on her past experience in sales.
2
always used before a noun
—used to refer to a time that has gone by recently
He has worked there for the past few months.
I spoke with him this past [=last] weekend.
3
always used before a noun
—used to say what someone or something was in the past
She is a past [=former] president of the club.
Several past employees were interviewed for the story.
past champions
4
—used to describe something that ended or was completed in the past
The time is past for apologies.
In winters past, we have had much more snow. = In past winters, we have had much more snow.
1
: at the farther side of (something) : beyond (a particular place)
The office is two blocks past the intersection.
Turn left just past the stairs.
2
: up to and beyond (a person or place)
We drove past the house.
I must have walked right past her.
He looked past me to the next customer.
3
: later than (a time)
We need to leave by half past two. [=2:30]
It was past [=after, (Brit) gone] five o'clock by the time we got home.
It's past his bedtime.
The bill is past due. [=it is late; it should have been paid before now]
4
a
: older than (an age)
Now that he is past 60, he's thinking about retiring.
b
: beyond the age for (something)
She is past playing with dolls.
5
: beyond or no longer at (a particular point)
The milk is past its expiration date.
The daffodils are past blooming.
They tried marriage counseling, but they were already past the point of reconciling.
The house is a mess, but she is past caring. [=she doesn't care]
As a singer, he is past his prime. [=he is no longer as good at singing as he once was]
plural pasts
1
: an earlier time : the time before the present
Past, present, and future are all linked together.
—usually used with thehappy memories of the past
In the past, there was a company luncheon every month.
Try not to worry about it anymore. It's in the past.
She wants to forget about the past. = She wants to put the past behind her.
The disease is mostly a thing of the past. [=something that no longer exists]
She had some financial problems, but that is all in the past. [=she has no financial problems now]
2
: the events of a person's life, of a place, etc., before the present time
—usually singular
Do you know anything about her past?
His past caught up with him when a former coworker recognized him.
He has an interesting past.
The city's past is full of interesting events.
We learned about the building's past as a textile factory.
3
grammar
: past tense
The past of "walk" is "walked."
: to and beyond a certain point or time
He drove past [=by] slowly so we could look at the house.
A deer ran past.
Several weeks went past before we heard from her.
Cite this Entry
“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/past. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
