American Dictionary

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Definition pass in American English

pass verb

verb
/pæs/
1

to go past something

Example

They stopped at the crossing, waiting for the train to pass.

Example

The procession slowly passed us.

Example

We sometimes pass each other on the street.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to go past another vehicle

Synonyms and related words
2

to move in a particular direction or to a particular place or position

Example

We passed through the gates of the old city.

Example

Two large birds passed over our heads.

Example

The signal passes through a device called a router.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

to move something in a particular direction or to a particular place or position

Example

He passed his hand across his forehead.

Example

They managed to pass a message under the doorway.

Synonyms and related words
2.2

if a road, river, or stream passes through, across, etc. a place, its path follows that direction

Example

The railroad line passes through Richmond, Columbia, and Savannah.

Synonyms and related words
Example

Did you pass?

Example

She passed her driver's test.

Example

He'll be in the team if he passes the fitness test today.

Example

He passed his final exams with flying colors.

Synonyms and related words
3.1

to officially judge that someone has been successful in an examination or test because they have achieved a satisfactory standard

Example

The examiners passed only 40% of the candidates.

Synonyms and related words
4

to put something into someone's hand or into a position where they can take it

Example

Pass the salt, please.

Example

Could you pass me that newspaper?

Example

He passed the camera to her so she could take a photograph.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

to give information, especially to the police or to an enemy

Example

Saunders was a paid informer, passing information to the secret police.

4.2

to give someone false money as payment for something

Synonyms and related words
5

if time or a period of time passes, it happens and comes to an end

Example

Time passes slowly when you're waiting for something.

Example

The summer vacation passed quickly, as usual.

Example

She grew less hopeful with every passing day.

Example

Hardly a day passed without a reporter calling or knocking at our door.

Synonyms and related words
5.1

to spend time doing something

Example

We passed the day swimming and lying in the sun.

Synonyms and related words
6

to kick, hit, or throw the ball to another player in a sports team

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7

to make a law, proposal, etc. become official, usually by voting to accept it

Example

This is one of the worst laws ever passed.

Synonyms and related words
7.1

if a law, proposal, etc. passes, or passes a particular law-making body, it becomes official as the result of a vote

Example

The legislation finally passed the Senate.

Example

If the bill passes, it will fundamentally affect people's employment rights.

Synonyms and related words
8

to be unable to answer a question, especially in a test

Example

He passed on three questions.

Synonyms and related words
8.1

used for saying that you do not know the answer to a question

Example

"What is the capital of Sierra Leone?" "Pass."

9

if words or looks pass between people, they speak to each other or look at each other in a particular way

Example

No one really knows what passed between them that day.

Synonyms and related words
10

to come to an end

Example

Children can be very difficult at this age. Don't worry - it'll soon pass.

Example

I felt a sharp pain, but it soon passed.

Synonyms and related words
11

to become more than a particular amount

Example

The death toll has already passed 200.

Example

The three production sites will pass the 100,000 mark this quarter.

Synonyms and related words
12

to happen, or to be allowed to happen

Example

The rest of the meeting passed without incident.

Example

This innocent remark did not, however, pass without comment.

Example

Her mistake seemed to have passed unnoticed.

Synonyms and related words
13

to make a comment or give an opinion, especially in order to criticize someone or something

Example

She was furious that he should have the nerve to pass judgment on her.

Example

He was asked for his opinion but refused to pass comment.

Synonyms and related words
14

to make something leave your body as a waste product or in a waste product

Example

I think he's passing blood in his urine.

Synonyms and related words
15

to stop being owned or controlled by one person and start being owned or controlled by another

Example

Under the will, ownership of the business will pass to my daughter.

Example

The estate has passed from father to son for generations.

Synonyms and related words
16

to change from one state to another

Example

At this temperature, the mixture passes from a solid to a liquid state.

Synonyms and related words
17

to not play a card or not make a bid in a card game

Synonyms and related words
18

to die

Example

She had an amazing year before she passed.

Definition pass in American English