past
adjective
\ ˈpast
\
\
Definition of past
(Entry 1 of 4)
1a
: ago
12 years past started working on this project 10 years past
b
: just gone or elapsed
for the past few months I spoke with him this past weekend.
2
: having existed or taken place in a period before the present : bygone
In past winters, we have had much more snow.
3
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of elapsed time and that in English is usually formed by internal vowel change (as in sang) or by the addition of a suffix (as in laughed)
4
: having served as a specified officer in an organization
past president past champions
past
prepositionDefinition of past (Entry 2 of 4)
past
nounDefinition of past (Entry 3 of 4)
1a
: time gone by
b
: something that happened or was done in the past
regret the past
2a
: the past tense of a language
b
: a verb form in the past tense
3
: a past life, history, or course of action
especially
: one that is kept secret
past
adverbDefinition of past (Entry 4 of 4)
: so as to reach and go beyond a point near at hand
drove past
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Other Words from past
Noun
pastless
\ ˈpas(t)-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for past
Synonyms: Adjective
erstwhile, former, late, old, once, onetime, other, quondam, sometime, whilom
Synonyms: Preposition
Synonyms: Noun
auld lang syne, history, yesterday, yesteryear, yore
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Examples of past in a Sentence
Adjective
She was hired based on her past experience in sales. a past editor of the newspaperPreposition
The office is two blocks past the intersection. Turn left just past the stairs. We drove past the house. I must have walked right past her. He looked past me to the next customer.Noun
Past, present, and future are all linked together. The past of “walk” is “walked.”Adverb
Several weeks went past before we heard from her.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Investigators are likely to look at areas of Google’s business that have drawn past criticism, including its online search and advertising services as well as its Android smartphone operating system. — Washington Post, "The Latest: Groups praise states for launching Google probe," 10 Sep. 2019 The three Milwaukee women, who have past history, got into a physical altercation inside the nail salon. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Wauwatosa nail salon owner was shot in the toe during a fight among patrons, police say," 10 Sep. 2019 The under is 6-0 in Odorizzi’s past six against the Tribe, and 20-8-1 in the past 29 meetings at Target Field, including Friday. — Joe Williams, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins odds, picks and betting tips," 7 Sep. 2019 Especially for grandparents, as safety recommendations have changed drastically, due to high rates of injury and death in years past. — baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Safe Kids Carroll County: A primer for grandparents on ever-changing child safety recommendations," 6 Sep. 2019 Hurricane Dorian is on a collision course with the Carolinas Hurricane Dorian swept past Florida on Wednesday, heading toward the Carolinas, claiming its first life in the USA and promising heavy rains, powerful winds and damaging surge. — Ashley Shaffer, USA TODAY, "This is what 'total devastation' looks like," 4 Sep. 2019 Its proposed name and high-tech focus notwithstanding, the European Future Fund would hark back to decades past. — The Economist, "The Europeans want their own Vision Fund to invest in tech," 31 Aug. 2019 To call the game past halfway done at that point would be literal. — Hunter Atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Rays take see-saw battle from Astros to avoid sweep," 29 Aug. 2019 Just this past weekend at the largest Disney fan event, D23 Expo, held in Anaheim, California, the company announced that its famous park in Orlando will be welcoming a slew of new attractions, including ones dedicated to Moana and Mary Poppins. — Megan Uy, House Beautiful, "Disney World's Epcot Is Getting A Whole New Look—With New Rides And Attractions," 27 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition
Although there are many past examples of tyrannosaur fossils showcasing stages of injury and healing, the location of Victoria's are right on the front of the lower jaw. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Meet Victoria, one of the most complete T. rex fossils in the world," 12 Sep. 2019 Dyeing dart frogs traveled approximately 39 meters on average, hopping past ponds an average distance of 19 meters away. — Jennifer Leman, Scientific American, "Poison Frog Fathers Ferry Their Tadpoles Great Distances," 4 Sep. 2019 It was previously forecasted to move northward on Monday — swirling towards the East Coast, past Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. — Claudia Harmata, PEOPLE.com, "Bethenny Frankel Travels to Florida and the Bahamas to Help with Hurricane Dorian Relief," 3 Sep. 2019 Pros for Conn's Conn's jumped 13.3% after the furniture and electronics retailer blew past Wall Street's second quarter profit forecasts. — Damian J. Troise, USA TODAY, "Dow down over 350 points as US stocks tank early: New China tariffs kicking in," 3 Sep. 2019 Lines of fresh-faced girls stream past sorority houses and shirtless guys toss footballs on the lawns. — Fern Kupfer, Twin Cities, "Fern Kupfer: Tips for college: How to please your professor," 2 Sep. 2019 The 6-foot-4 sophomore wideout blew past the coverage on a post route and glided into the end zone, right into the path of Ehlinger's 28-yard touchdown pass – 21-0 Texas. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "No. 10 Texas cruises past La. Tech as No. 6 LSU looms," 31 Aug. 2019 The 6-foot-4 sophomore wideout blew past the coverage on a post route and glided into the end zone, right into the path of Ehlinger’s 28-yard touchdown pass – 21-0 Texas. — Nick Moyle, Houston Chronicle, "No. 10 Texas cruises past La. Tech as No. 6 LSU looms," 31 Aug. 2019 The forest is protected by Indra, being home to his