Passage

'pæsɪdʒ

nounBeginner📊CommonCommunication
5 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

5 meanings
1

A section or portion of a written work or speech.

'pæsɪdʒ

nounneutralBeginner
Communication

A section of text or a piece of writing.

Please read the following passage carefully.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're reading a cool story. A 'passage' is just a small chunk of the story. For example, 'The most exciting passage in the book was when the dragon appeared!'

👶 For kids: A piece of writing, like a paragraph in a book.

More Examples

2

The passage describes the historical events that led to the war.

3

She underlined an interesting passage in her book.

How It's Used

Literary

"The teacher asked the students to analyze a specific passage from the novel."

Legal

"The lawyer cited a crucial passage from the constitution in his argument."

2

The act of going through, across, or over a place or area.

'pæsɪdʒ

nounneutralmedium
Action

The act of moving through or across something.

The passage through the tunnel was dark.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're taking a trip on a train. The 'passage' is your journey from one place to another. For instance, 'The passage through the mountains was long but scenic.'

👶 For kids: Going from one place to another.

More Examples

2

The ship's passage to the island took several days.

3

The passage of time can be both slow and quick.

How It's Used

Transportation

"The ship's passage across the Atlantic was uneventful."

Astronomy

"The passage of the comet was observed by astronomers."

Tip:Picture yourself going on a journey, the 'passage' is that movement.
3

A way through, especially a narrow route or channel.

'pæsɪdʒ

nounneutralBeginner
Space

A way through or a route.

The secret passage led to the treasure.

💡 Simply: Think of a secret tunnel in a castle. A 'passage' is just a way you can walk or travel from one place to another. For example, 'We found a secret passage behind the bookshelf.'

👶 For kids: A way or path to get from one place to another.

More Examples

2

The narrow passage was difficult to navigate.

3

The passage between the two buildings was very dark.

How It's Used

Architecture

"The building had a narrow passage leading to the hidden garden."

Military

"The army secured the mountain passage."

Tip:Visualize a narrow corridor or a path through the woods.
4

The process of time elapsing or of events occurring.

'pæsɪdʒ

nounneutralmedium
Time

The process of time or events passing.

The passage of time made him forget his worries.

💡 Simply: Think about how time goes by quickly, like when you're having fun. The 'passage' of time is just that: how time moves forward. For instance, 'The passage of the school year always seemed too fast.'

👶 For kids: How time goes by.

More Examples

2

The passage of the bill was debated for weeks.

3

The passage of events eventually changed her mind.

How It's Used

General

"The passage of time heals all wounds."

Historical

"The passage of the legislation was a significant moment."

Tip:Imagine a clock ticking, representing the continuous flow of time.
5

A part of an animal's body through which something passes.

'pæsɪdʒ

nounneutralAdvanced
Anatomy

A portion of the digestive system.

The doctor identified a blockage in the intestinal passage.

💡 Simply: It's like a road inside your body where food travels. For instance, 'Problems with the digestive passage can make you feel sick.'

👶 For kids: A path inside your body.

More Examples

2

The intestinal passage is an important part of the digestive system.

3

The study investigated the effect of certain foods on the digestive passage.

How It's Used

Medical

"The doctor examined the patient's digestive passage."

Tip:Picture a tube in your body.

Idioms & expressions

Right of passage

A ritual or event marking an important stage in someone's life, typically involving a significant change in status.

"Graduation is often considered a right of passage for young adults."

From Old French *passage*, derived from *passer* ('to pass'), ultimately from Latin *passus* ('a step').

In historical texts, 'passage' often referred to the act of passing through a place, the flow of time, or a section of writing. It has maintained these meanings across centuries.

Memory tip

Think of a book and marking a specific section with a highlighter.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"A step, a going through"

narrow passagesecret passagehistorical passageliterary passagedigestive passage

Common misspellings

passsagepassige

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written