1
a
: ago
12 years past
started working on this project 10 years past
b
: just gone or elapsed
for the past few months
I spoke with him this past weekend.
2
: having existed or taken place in a period before the present : bygone
In past winters, we have had much more snow.
3
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of elapsed time and that in English is usually formed by internal vowel change (as in sang) or by the addition of a suffix (as in laughed)
4
: having served as a specified officer in an organization
past president
past champions
1
a
: time gone by
b
: something that happened or was done in the past
regret the past
2
a
: the past tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the past tense
3
: a past life, history, or course of action
especially
: one that is kept secret
: so as to reach and go beyond a point near at hand
drove past
Synonyms
Examples of past in a Sentence
Adjective
She was hired based on her past experience in sales.
a past editor of the newspaper
Preposition
The office is two blocks past the intersection.
Turn left just past the stairs.
We drove past the house.
I must have walked right past her.
He looked past me to the next customer.
Noun
Past, present, and future are all linked together.
The past of “walk” is “walked.”
Adverb
Several weeks went past before we heard from her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
The trust division doesn’t seem to account for any of your sister’s past mortgage payments.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
Price also vowed changes last month after more than 1,000 cases at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland appeared languish past the state’s one-year statute of limitations for misdemeanor cases.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
In his mind, playing these new, modernized entries can sometimes dredge up curiosity for gaming’s past in new players.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Tom Norton, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
That also means that election results will follow a slightly different timeline than in years past.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for past 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
Steel, a Seal Beach Republican seeking a third term, has shown GOP resilience in the Democratic-leaning district in past elections.
—Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
The trust division doesn’t seem to account for any of your sister’s past mortgage payments.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Preposition
Next week: Broomfield at Palmer Ridge, TBA No. 2 Montrose beat No. 15 Frederick, 44-22: Junior RB Elijah Womack found the end zone four times, including a fumble return touchdown that went 80-plus yards, to push Montrose (11-0) past upset-minded Frederick (8-4) and into a rematch with Mesa Ridge.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
Price also vowed changes last month after more than 1,000 cases at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland appeared languish past the state’s one-year statute of limitations for misdemeanor cases.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Irish scored on an indirect free kick from inside the penalty area to tie the game with 10 seconds left as Mitch Ferguson’s shot deflected off a Cardinal defender and past goalkeeper Rowan Schnebly, whose time wasting had drawn a yellow card to set up the free kick.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
In his mind, playing these new, modernized entries can sometimes dredge up curiosity for gaming’s past in new players.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Election officials will now have to decide on each voter's eligibility during hearings that could extend well past .
fairness meter
fairness meter
Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
—Tom Norton, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
That also means that election results will follow a slightly different timeline than in years past.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for past
Dictionary Entries Near past
Cite this Entry
“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/past. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
past
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: ago
10 years past
b
: just gone by
for the past few months
2
: having existed or taken place in a period before the present
past customs
3
: of, relating to, or being a verb tense that in English is usually formed by internal vowel change (as in sang) or by the addition of a suffix (as in laughed) and that expresses time gone by
4
: no longer serving
a past president
past
2 of 4 preposition1
: beyond entry 2 sense 1
past 50 years old
half past ten
2
: in a course by and then beyond
the road goes past the house
past
3 of 4 noun1
: a former time or event
2
a
b
: a verb form in the past tense
3
: a past life or history
especially
: a past life that is secret or questionable
past
4 of 4 adverb
: so as to pass by
a deer ran past
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