English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun B1 Intermediate Common

passport

PAHS-pawt

Passport (noun) means an official government document that proves a person's identity and nationality for international travel. Example: “Don't forget to bring your passport to the airport.”

noun
1
An official government document that proves a person's identity and nationality for international travel.
"Don't forget to bring your passport to the airport."
2
Something that provides a means of achieving or accessing something.
"A good degree can be a passport to a better career."

How to use passport

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

passported past tense, passports plural, passports singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “passport” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Don't forget to bring your _____ to the airport.

Etymology

From French passeport, from passer ("to pass") plus port ("port, harbour").

Origin: French

key ticket gateway entree travel document

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.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial