# pass

/ˈpæs/ (US) · /pˈɑːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pass
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to go past

verb · CEFR A1

to move past something or someone.

For teachers: to move past a person, object, or location so as to leave it behind.

- I saw him pass my house on his bicycle this morning.
- The satellite is scheduled to pass over the northern hemisphere at approximately three in the morning.

### 2. to give something

verb · CEFR A1

to hand something to another person.

For teachers: to transfer the manual possession of an object to another person.

- Could you please pass the salt?
- The witness was asked to pass the documents to the judge for a private review of the evidence.

### 3. to succeed in a test

verb · CEFR A2

to be successful in an exam or a course.

For teachers: to achieve the required standard in an examination, test, or course of study.

- She was so happy to pass her driving test on the first try.
- Candidates must pass the written evaluation before they are permitted to attempt the practical demonstration.

### 4. time going by

verb · CEFR B1

when time goes by.

For teachers: to elapse or move forward in time.

- As the weeks pass, I am starting to feel more at home here.
- Several hours passed in complete silence as the researchers waited for the chemical reaction to stabilise.

### 5. to decline an option

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to choose not to take a turn or an opportunity.

For teachers: to refrain from taking up an opportunity, or to decline one's turn in a game.

- I think I'll pass on dessert tonight; I'm too full.
- When the opportunity for a promotion arose, he decided to pass, citing a desire to maintain his current work-life balance.

### 6. to become law

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to be officially accepted by a government or group.

For teachers: to be officially approved or enacted by a legislative body.

- The new law will pass if enough people vote for it.
- The bill finally passed the Senate after weeks of intense negotiation and several significant amendments.

### 7. a permit

noun · CEFR A2

a piece of paper or a card that lets you enter a place or travel.

For teachers: a document or permit granting authorisation to enter a restricted area or use a service.

- You need a security pass to get into the office building.
- The all-access pass allowed the journalists to enter the backstage area and interview the performers after the show.

### 8. mountain route

noun · CEFR B1

a path or road through a mountain range.

For teachers: a navigable route through a mountain range or over a ridge.

- The mountain pass was closed because of the heavy snow.
- The ancient trade route wound through a narrow pass that was easily defended against invading armies.

### 9. sports throw

noun · CEFR A2

the act of kicking or throwing a ball to a teammate.

For teachers: the intentional transfer of a ball or puck to a teammate during play.

- It was a perfect pass, and his teammate scored easily.
- The midfielder executed a brilliant diagonal pass that bypassed the entire defensive line.

## Examples

- Please pass me the salt.
- The blue car tried to pass the slow truck on the narrow mountain road.
- While many students feared the final exam would be too difficult, the majority managed to pass with flying colors after attending the extra study sessions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.