was

[ wuhz, woz; unstressed wuhz ]

verb

1. first and third person singular past indicative of be.

was

/ wɒz; wəz /

verb

1. the past tense (indicative mood) of be 1
2. not_standard.
   a form of the subjunctive mood used in place of were, esp in conditional sentences

   if the film was to be with you, would you be able to process it?

Word History and Origins

Origin of was¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English wæs, past tense singular of wesan “to be”; cognate with Old Frisian, Old High German, Gothic was, Old Norse var; wassail

Word History and Origins

Origin of was¹

Old English wæs, from wesan to be; related to Old Frisian, Old High German was, Old Norse var

Example Sentences

The woman was detained and released pending further investigation, police officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

A newborn baby was found dead in a Skid Row alleyway after police believe he was dropped from a fourth-floor window Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

No other information on the death or investigation was immediately available.

From Los Angeles Times

Hospital staff contacted the Police Department in May after discovering Porter was impersonating a real registered nurse who lived out of state, detectives said.

From Los Angeles Times

Prior to the incident at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Porter posted bail and was released from the custody of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of committing a similar offense at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, according to the Burbank Police Department.

From Los Angeles Times