Synonyms

passed

American

[past, pahst] / pæst, pɑst /

adjective

having completed the act of passing.
having received a passing grade on an examination or test or successfully completed a school course, year, or program of study.
Finance. noting a dividend not paid at the usual dividend date.
U.S. Navy. having successfully completed an examination for promotion, and awaiting a vacancy in the next grade.

a passed chief engineer.

Other Word Forms

unpassed adjective

Etymology

Origin of passed

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; pass + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Colombia passed the baton to Tuvalu, a tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean that will host the next fossil fuel phaseout conference in 2027.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Malinauskas wrote on social media that his "thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have passed away, and with everyone affected by this devastating event".

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“Many individuals who were involved have long since passed away, while others have been hard to identify,” states Maurice Shakur in the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Last week, the district passed a resolution he spearheaded to limit screen time and block student-led use of YouTube.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Up and down the Barteljorisstraat, shop owners were out on the sidewalk; there was an unaccustomed neighborhood feel as advice, rolls of adhesive, and tales of the night’s terror passed from door to door.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023