passport

[ pas-pawrt, -pohrt, pahs- ]

noun

1. an official document issued by the government of a country to one of its citizens and, varying from country to country, authorizing travel to foreign countries and authenticating the bearer's identity, citizenship, right to protection while abroad, and right to reenter their native country.
2. anything that ensures admission or acceptance:

   A good education can be your passport to success.

3. any authorization to pass or go somewhere.
4. a document issued to a ship, especially to a neutral merchant ship in time of war, granting or requesting permission to proceed without molestation in certain waters.
5. a certificate intended to secure admission.

passport

/ ˈpɑːspɔːt /

noun

1. an official document issued by a government, identifying an individual, granting him permission to travel abroad, and requesting the protection of other governments for him
2. a licence granted by a state to a foreigner, allowing the passage of his person or goods through the country
3. another word for sea letter
4. a quality, asset, etc, that gains a person admission or acceptance

Other Words From

• passport·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of passport¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; earlier passeport from Middle French, equivalent to passe- (stem of passer to pass ) + port port ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of passport¹

C15: from French passeport, from passer to pass + port ¹

Example Sentences

Because she had been born before midnight, she discovered she was a day older than she previously thought: “My birth certificate is wrong, my passport, my driving licence - everything is wrong.”

From BBC

The hotel demanded to keep my passport for “my safety and the safety of others”.

From BBC

Ms Batool said Mr Sharif was going to Pakistan the following day, adding: “He went crazy today”, and that he had taken money and a passport.

From BBC

The website for "The Dental Practice Lincoln" asked for personal data, including passport numbers, and took bank or credit card payments to secure appointments.

From BBC

Eddie Crouch, who chairs the British Dental Association, said: "No dental practice would really ask you for details like your passport number and it's pretty unusual for most NHS dental practices to take payment in advance, so when you see those signs and are asked for those on any website, you should immediately be worried that perhaps the site is not legitimate."

From BBC

Related Words

• authorization
• key
• license
• permit
• ticket
• visa
• warrant