passport

American  

[pas-pawrt, -pohrt, pahs-] / ˈpæs pɔrt, -poʊrt, ˈpɑs- /

noun

• passports
  plural

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.

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passport British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• passportless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• passports
  plural

Etymology

Origin of passport

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

Explanation

A passport is a government-issued document you need to travel between countries. Americans must have a passport to travel out of the U.S., even if they're just going to Canada for the weekend. A passport is a small book that includes the name, nationality, and photograph of the person it belongs to. Its many pages are stamped each time you enter a new country. When you apply for a passport, you have to prove your identity and nationality, and have your picture taken. Colloquially, passport also means something that helps you get where you want to go: "This amusement part ticket is your passport to fun!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

passport passports

Any suppliers of eggs given the British Lion mark have to stick to a strict code that covers the vaccinating of hens, regular testing and a passport system to make sure hens are traceable.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Speaking after the find was announced by Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras, he said it could be "a passport to the country's future".

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

His image is featured on a limited edition US passport, and the airport in West Palm Beach, Florida is now named for him.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

“It’s mostly for the kids,” Josh said, explaining that a European passport could open up education and job opportunities for them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

I look at the passport in my trembling hands.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Now, more than 50% do, aided in part by a mandate requiring passports for travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean that took effect in 2007 and a postpandemic travel rush.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

“They charge extra fees and some are registered to submit applications and pick up passports for customers,” the government site says.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

Lopez said people around her are carrying passports and documents in public to prove they’re citizens.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

Travellers arriving from outside the Schengen zone will still have to show their passports to officials at Gibraltar's airport and port.

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

The thin lieutenant came down the length of the custom house, holding our passports.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

Related Words

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