the past
noun
1
: an earlier time : the time before the present
happy memories of the past
In the past, there was a company luncheon every month.
2
grammar
: a verb tense that is used to refer to the past : the past tense
The past of "walk" is "walked."
Examples of the past in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Congress had one of its most unproductive and dysfunctional periods the past two years that featured leadership fights, name-calling and physical aggression among lawmakers and averting government shutdowns with just hours to spare.
—
Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Cash in the bank down to £95.5m Those interest payments have contributed to the depletion of United’s cash reserves over the past five years.
—Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
In the past, presidents have used it sparingly but between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, thousands of pardons and commutations have taken place over the past few months.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The My Octopus Teacher business has spent much of the past two years nurturing relationships with talent that has unique access to give its slate productions that stand out.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the past 
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Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Cash in the bank down to £95.5m Those interest payments have contributed to the depletion of United’s cash reserves over the past five years.
—Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
In the past, presidents have used it sparingly but between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, thousands of pardons and commutations have taken place over the past few months.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The My Octopus Teacher business has spent much of the past two years nurturing relationships with talent that has unique access to give its slate productions that stand out.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the past
Dictionary Entries Near the past
Cite this Entry
“The past.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20past. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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