passport
PAHS-pawt
Passport (noun) means an official government document that proves a person's identity and nationality for international travel. Example: “My passport expires soon, so I need to renew it before the trip.”
noun
1
An official government document that proves a person's identity and nationality for international travel.
"You will have to bring your passport to prove who you are."
"My passport expires soon, so I need to renew it before the trip."
"The officer scanned her passport and asked why she was visiting."
"Meanwhile, the Italian authorities examine passports and hand-baggage, except in the case of sleeping-car passengers, who are usually left undisturbed."
— 'Pausanias', To Greece by the (1951)
"Dagobert gave him back his passport. He re-pocketed it indifferently; a talisman which had lost its potency."
— Delano Ames (1956)
"Don't forget to bring your passport to the airport."
2
Something that provides a means of achieving or accessing something.
"Fluency in two languages can be a passport to jobs abroad."
"For many young players, the academy was a passport out of a small town."
"A good degree can be a passport to a better career."
How to use passport
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe travel document proving who you are and what country you belong to, or figuratively, anything that opens a door to opportunity.
Common pairings
renew a passport
valid passport
passport control
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Word forms
- Plural
- passports
- Third person singular
- passports
- Past tense
- passported
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My _____ expires soon, so I need to renew it before the trip.
Etymology
From French passeport, from passer ("to pass") plus port ("port, harbour").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “passport” mean?
The word “passport” means an official government document that proves a person's identity and nationality for international travel. In plain terms, the travel document proving who you are and what country you belong to, or figuratively, anything that opens a door to opportunity.
How do you pronounce “passport”?
“Passport” is pronounced PAHS-pawt (/ˈpæspɔɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “passport” in a sentence?
Here is “passport” used in a sentence: “Don't forget to bring your passport to the airport.”
What part of speech is “passport”?
“Passport” is a noun.
Where does the word “passport” come from?
The word “passport” comes from French. From French passeport, from passer ("to pass") plus port ("port, harbour").
Is “passport” a common word?
“Passport” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “passport” have?
“Passport” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official government document that proves a person's identity and nationality for international travel.
What is the difference between a passport and a visa?
A passport is an official document issued by your own government that proves your identity and nationality for international travel. A visa is permission granted by the country you want to visit, and it is usually stamped or affixed inside your passport.
What is the difference between a passport and a national ID card?
A national identity card mainly proves who you are within your own country, while a passport proves both identity and nationality and is the standard document for international travel. Some neighboring countries accept each other's ID cards at the border, but a passport is accepted worldwide.
Do you need a passport for domestic flights?
Usually not — a passport is designed for international travel, and domestic flights within your own country normally accept other government-issued photo ID. Requirements vary by country and airline, though, so a passport remains the safest universal option.
