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 Word Forms

• 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

But for travelers with “weak passports,” struggling to cross borders has long been a fact of life.

From Los Angeles Times

The Kremlin has also launched a wide-ranging campaign to force Ukrainians in occupied territories to take Russian passports.

From BBC

On May 7, people boarding domestic flights or entering secured federal facilities such as courthouses must have a Real ID, a passport or another approved federal document.

From Los Angeles Times

Ovsiannikov, who has a British passport, was found guilty on Wednesday of six out of seven counts of circumventing sanctions.

From BBC

"There are 155 people with surnames, with passport data - 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," he said, according to remarks reported by Interfax.

From BBC

Related Words

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