passport
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.an official book from your government that proves who you are so you can travel to other countries.
n.an official government document certifying the holder's identity and citizenship, entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries.
Simple“Don't forget to pack your passport before we head to the airport.”
In context“The customs officer carefully examined the biometric data on the passport before granting the traveller entry into the country.”
Synonymstravel documentID - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something that makes it possible for you to get or do something good.
n.a figurative means of gaining entry to a desired state, place, or achievement.
Simple“For many young people, a good education is a passport to a better job.”
In context“The internship at the prestigious law firm proved to be her passport to a successful career in international arbitration.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to make someone eligible for one benefit because they already receive another one.
v.to grant eligibility for a secondary benefit or service automatically based on the recipient's qualification for a primary one.
Simple“Receiving this grant will passport you to free healthcare services.”
In context“Under the current system, families who qualify for income support are automatically passported to receive free school meals for their children.”
Usageoften used in the context of social security or welfare systems
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to give a company the legal right to do business in another country without needing extra licenses.
v.to enable a firm registered in one jurisdiction to provide services across others within a trade bloc without further authorisation.
Simple“The bank used its rights to passport its services across the entire region.”
In context“Following the regulatory changes, many financial institutions lost their ability to passport services from the capital into the single market.”
Usagefrequently used in European financial regulation contexts
From French passeport, from passer (“pass”) + port (“port”). Compare portpass. Equivalent to pass + port.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.