passport
[pas-pawrt, -pohrt, pahs-]
- an official document issued by the government of a country to one of its citizens and, varying from country to country, authorizing travel to foreign countries and authenticating the bearer's identity, citizenship, right to protection while abroad, and right to reenter his or her native country.
- anything that ensures admission or acceptance: A good education can be your passport to success.
- any authorization to pass or go somewhere.
- a document issued to a ship, especially to a neutral merchant ship in time of war, granting or requesting permission to proceed without molestation in certain waters.
- a certificate intended to secure admission.
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Origin of passport
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for passport
Contemporary Examples
Addison was allowed out of jail, finally, but her passport was held pending an investigation—even though nobody questioned her.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the EarthChristopher Dickey
October 30, 2014
Their expectation was that her petition to have her passport returned might be honored.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the EarthChristopher Dickey
October 30, 2014
Freundel was charged with six counts of voyeurism, a misdemeanor, and has surrendered his passport while awaiting trial.
Women Describe How Top D.C. Rabbi Allegedly Spied on Them in the NudeSteven I. Weiss
October 22, 2014
He had grown even more alarmed when he discovered that her passport was missing.
“Documenting yourself in a place is like stamping a passport,” says Selfies at Serious Places' creator Jason Feifer.
Historical Examples
In England, personal distinction is the only passport to the society of the great.
Vivian GreyEarl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli
And you're my passport, because only Med Ships have members of your tribe aboard!
Pariah PlanetMurray Leinster
"Then let your passport be for four, my friend," madame begged him.
ScaramoucheRafael Sabatini
"A passport from without would do equally well," he announced.
ScaramoucheRafael Sabatini
This was a passport to the honor and respect of other Christian nations.
A Short History of SpainMary Platt Parmele
passport
- an official document issued by a government, identifying an individual, granting him permission to travel abroad, and requesting the protection of other governments for him
- a licence granted by a state to a foreigner, allowing the passage of his person or goods through the country
- another word for sea letter (def. 1)
- a quality, asset, etc, that gains a person admission or acceptance
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Word Origin
C15: from French passeport, from passer to pass + port 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for passport
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper