passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpȯrt 

plural passports

1

a

: a formal document issued by an authorized official of a country to one of its citizens that is usually necessary for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance with visa requirements, and that requests protection for the citizen while abroad

b

: a license issued by a country permitting a foreign citizen to pass or take goods through its territory : safe-conduct

c

: a document of identification required by law to be carried by persons residing or traveling within a country

2

a

: a permission or authorization to go somewhere

b

: something that secures admission, acceptance, or attainment

education as a passport to success

see also vaccine passport

Synonyms

• gateway
• key
• open sesame
• secret
• ticket

Examples of passport in a Sentence

meeting that movie director could be your passport to a big acting career

to its followers, the cult seemed like their passport to heaven

Recent Examples on the Web

This slim, lightweight pouch is easy to tuck beneath your clothing to subtly hide your wallet, passport, and cash, and it’s made from RFID-blocking, water-resistant material that’s both breathable and reliable. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2024

As Frost explained, passport counters receive your information and dispatch it to the Miami agency for processing. —Lauren Brensel, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024

My passport was handed over for check-in and returned in a butterscotch yellow leather wallet stamped with those three fishes. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 18 June 2024

Travelers can also get passports from passport acceptance facilities, of which there are more than 7,400 nationwide. —Killian Baarlaer, The Enquirer, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) pasport, from Middle French passeport, from passer to pass + port port, from Latin portus — more at ford

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing passport

• vaccine passport

Kids Definition

passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpō(ə)rt 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: a government-issued document that serves to identify a citizen and allows him or her to travel to foreign countries

2

: something that allows a person to reach a desired goal

education can be a passport to a successful future