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Definition past in British English

past adverb, preposition

adverb, preposition
/pɑːst/

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

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

1.1

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

Example

I'll meet you at half past five.

Example

It's exactly ten past three.

Synonyms and related words
0900/1300 etc hours about advanced
1.2

later than a particular time

Example

It was past midnight by the time we arrived.

Synonyms and related words
late belatedly overdue
2

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 petrol station.

Example

He got the ball and headed it past Mitchell.

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
about across after
3

further 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
about across after
4

looking towards 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
behind in front rear
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

I tried to read the book, but couldn't get past the first chapter.

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
then all last
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 British English

Related Words

Words related to past:

a blast from the past (phrase) be a past master at doing something (phrase) be past caring (phrase) redemption (phrase) retrieval (phrase) first past the post (phrase) first-past-the-post (adjective) fly-past (noun) get past (phrasal verb) half past etc (phrase) I wouldn’t put it past someone (to do something) (phrase) live in the past (phrase) march-past (noun) past (adverb, preposition) past (noun) past (adjective) past it (phrase) past its sell-by date (phrase) past master (noun) past participle (noun) put the past behind you (phrase) quarter (noun) the past continuous (noun) the past perfect (noun) the past simple (noun) the simple past (noun) worm (your way) etc something (phrase)