1
: going by or past
a passing pedestrian
2
: having a brief duration
a passing whim
3
obsolete
: surpassing
4
: superficial
a passing acquaintance
a passing resemblance
5
a
: of, relating to, or used in or for the act or process of passing
passing lanes
b
: given on satisfactory completion of an examination or course of study
a passing grade
: to a surpassing degree : exceedingly
passing strange
Examples of passing in a Sentence
Noun
After her husband's passing, she moved to a smaller house.
We all mourned his passing.
Adjective
Someone called out from a passing car.
She sells flowers to passing motorists.
Let's hope that these shoes are just a passing fad.
a passing phase in childhood
Adverb
a passing strange turn of events
Recent Examples on the Web
D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The Studio was scheduled as one of the panel’s discussions until O’Hara’s passing.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Jan. 2026
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Jones has spent the past three seasons as the defensive passing game coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and also has served as that club's defensive backs coach.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
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Noun
Van Pelt, 55, played at Pittsburgh and broke Dan Marino’s passing yards, attempts and completion records in college, was on the Browns staff from 2020 to 2023 with new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski.
—D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The Studio was scheduled as one of the panel’s discussions until O’Hara’s passing.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Quarterback coach, offensive passing game coordinator, linebackers coach, defensive line coach and other defensive staff positions are all unfilled.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Jones has spent the past three seasons as the defensive passing game coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and also has served as that club's defensive backs coach.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passing. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
passing
1 of 2 noun
pass·ing
ˈpas-iŋ 
1
: the act of one that passes or causes to pass
2
passing
2 of 2 adjective1
: going by or past
the passing crowd
2
: lasting only for a short time
3
: used for the act or process of passing
the passing lane
4
: given on satisfactory completion of an examination or course of study
a passing grade
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