laissez-passer

[ les-ey-pa-sey; French le-sey-pah-sey ]

/ ˈlɛs eɪ pæˈseɪ; French lɛ seɪ pɑˈseɪ /

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noun, plural lais·sez-pas·sers, French lais·sez-pas·ser.

a permit; pass, especially one issued in lieu of a passport.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of laissez-passer

<French: literally, allow to pass

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use laissez-passer in a sentence

The second reason the government has adopted such a laissez-faire attitude toward drug producers is an economic one.
Hezbollah Profits From Hash as Syria Goes to Pot|Alberto Mucci|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They named Howe the smartest player, best passer and playmaker and best puck carrier.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He used his strength to overwhelm defenders but he also had nifty footwork, soft hands, and was a beautiful passer.
Shaq, Year One|Charles P. Pierce|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was passed over by at least five teams that needed a passer.
Don’t Cry for Johnny Football. The NFL’s 22nd Pick Will Do Just Fine.|Ben Teitelbaum|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“This guy is a real challenge to the whole libertarian-leaning laissez-faire political idea,” says Winters of Francis.
How This Pope Is Remaking the GOP|Michelle Cottle|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the maxim of laissez faire became the last word of social wisdom.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Many of the inhabitants came out of their houses and gave it fodder, and every passer-by turned out of the way for it.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Many a passer-by would have found it difficult to guess the class of trade carried on by Monsieur Guillaume.
At the Sign of the Cat and Racket|Honore de Balzac
Behind such a wall the passer-by had a glimpse of the upper windows and steep roof of a house of considerable size.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
The education of Humanity grows like those Eastern pyramids, to which each passer-by adds his stone.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King

British Dictionary definitions for laissez-passer

laissez passer

laisser passer

/ French (lese pase) /

noun

a document granting unrestricted access or movement to its holder

Word Origin for laissez passer

literally: let pass

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012