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Definition past in American English

past adverb, preposition

adverb, preposition
/pæst/

Past can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): It’s past your bedtime.I walked past the post office.

as an adverb (without a following noun): A policeman walked past.Months went past and nothing happened.

1

going near someone or something while you are on your way to another place

Example

I walked past several hotels on my way to the gas station.

Example

The river winds its way past the picturesque village of Comrie.

Example

The thieves somehow got past all the alarms.

Example

She heard music coming from inside the van as it drove past.

Synonyms and related words
2

used for saying what time it is when it is not more than thirty minutes after one, two, etc. o'clock

2.1

used for saying what time it is when it is not more than thirty minutes after one, two, etc. o'clock

Example

It's a quarter past three.

Example

I'll meet you at half past five.

Example

It's exactly ten past three.

Synonyms and related words
2.2

later than a particular time

Example

It was past midnight by the time we arrived.

Synonyms and related words
3

farther than a particular place along a road, path, river, etc.

Example

Turn right a mile past the graveyard and you'll see the church.

Example

You'll find the town about 80 miles south of Missoula, just past Darby.

Synonyms and related words
4

looking toward a place behind someone or something instead of directly at them

Example

I tried to catch his eye, but he stared right past me.

Example

Tom seemed to be looking straight past me at the wall.

Synonyms and related words
5

used for saying that someone or something has passed a particular stage or point

Example

He was past his prime as a player by then.

Example

Unlike my sisters, I never got past the sixth grade at school.

6

used for saying that a period of time passes

Example

The months went past, and still no word from her.

Example

The days seem to be just whizzing past.

Synonyms and related words
7

used for saying that your attitudes or feelings have changed in such a way that you no longer think about something

Example

I used to worry about him coming home late, but now I'm past caring.

Definition past in American English