ENGLISH
REFERENCE

passport

n. · v.
US //ˈpæsˌpɔɹt// UK //pˈɑːspɔːt// pass·port
  1. 1 travel document (n.)
    A1 Beginner Law

    an official book from your government that proves who you are so you can travel to other countries.

    an official government document certifying the holder's identity and citizenship, entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries.

    Example

    Don't forget to pack your passport before we head to the airport.

    Example

    The customs officer carefully examined the biometric data on the passport before granting the traveller entry into the country.
    • travel document
    • ID
  2. 2 a way to achieve something (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    something that makes it possible for you to get or do something good.

    a figurative means of gaining entry to a desired state, place, or achievement.

    Example

    For many young people, a good education is a passport to a better job.

    Example

    The internship at the prestigious law firm proved to be her passport to a successful career in international arbitration.
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  1. 3 to link benefits (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical British English

    to make someone eligible for one benefit because they already receive another one.

    to grant eligibility for a secondary benefit or service automatically based on the recipient's qualification for a primary one.

    Example

    Receiving this grant will passport you to free healthcare services.

    Example

    Under the current system, families who qualify for income support are automatically passported to receive free school meals for their children.

    Usage

    often used in the context of social security or welfare systems
  2. 4 to allow cross-border trade (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Law

    to give a company the legal right to do business in another country without needing extra licenses.

    to enable a firm registered in one jurisdiction to provide services across others within a trade bloc without further authorisation.

    Example

    The bank used its rights to passport its services across the entire region.

    Example

    Following the regulatory changes, many financial institutions lost their ability to passport services from the capital into the single market.

    Usage

    frequently used in European financial regulation contexts
Origin

From French passeport, from passer (“pass”) + port (“port”). Compare portpass. Equivalent to pass + port.

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