pass the time
idiom
: to let time or a period of time go by especially while doing something enjoyable
We played games to pass the time on the bus.
Examples of pass the time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For those looking to pass the time during those extra hours of natural sunlight for reading, below TIME rounds up some surprising facts about the summer solstice and its history.
—
Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 19 June 2024
This was a reminder that there is no treading water like a cable news anchor trying to pass the time while waiting for something to happen.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024
Set in a Lower East Side apartment building at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, a cast of neighbors trade stories to pass the time.
—Theara Coleman, theweek, 2 Feb. 2024
Charlie Rich, who graduated from Eagle High in May, started playing the sport during his freshman year to pass the time in between football seasons.
—Samuel O’Neal, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pass the time 
Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 19 June 2024
This was a reminder that there is no treading water like a cable news anchor trying to pass the time while waiting for something to happen.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024
Set in a Lower East Side apartment building at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, a cast of neighbors trade stories to pass the time.
—Theara Coleman, theweek, 2 Feb. 2024
Charlie Rich, who graduated from Eagle High in May, started playing the sport during his freshman year to pass the time in between football seasons.
—Samuel O’Neal, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pass the time
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pass the time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pass the time
Cite this Entry
“Pass the time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20the%20time. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share