passport

[pas-pawrt, -pohrt, pahs-]

noun

1. 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 their native country.

2. anything that ensures admission or acceptance.

   A good education can be your passport to success.

3. any authorization to pass or go somewhere.

4. 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.

5. a certificate intended to secure admission.

passport

/ ˈpɑːspɔːt /

noun

1. 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

2. a licence granted by a state to a foreigner, allowing the passage of his person or goods through the country

3. another word for sea letter

4. a quality, asset, etc, that gains a person admission or acceptance

Other Word Forms

• passportless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of passport¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; earlier passeport from Middle French, equivalent to passe- (stem of passer to pass ) + port port ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of passport¹

C15: from French passeport, from passer to _pass + _port ¹

Example Sentences

To replace eventually the manual stamp on passports and secure better information-sharing between the bloc's 27 states.

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Khelif is recognized as female on her passport, and has only ever competed in women’s events.

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The move underscored Chung’s desire to embark on an era of “performance over passport.”

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"Your colour has become your passport or your nationality".

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A year later those over 21 could apply for a passport.

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Related Words

• authorization 
• key 
• license 
• permit 
• ticket 
• visa 
• warrant