Passport

/ˈpɑːspɔːrt/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonDocument
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

An official document issued by a government, certifying the identity and nationality of the holder and entitling them to international travel.

/ˈpɑːspɔːrt/

nounneutralBeginner
Document

An official document for international travel.

I need to renew my passport before my trip.

💡 Simply: A passport is like your official ID card that lets you fly or travel to other countries. It proves who you are, so you can get through border control and have adventures!

👶 For kids: A passport is like a special ticket that lets you go to other countries!

More Examples

2

Make sure you keep your passport safe while you travel.

3

The passport control officer checked my passport and visa.

How It's Used

Travel

"You need a passport to travel to a foreign country."

Immigration

"The immigration officer examined my passport."

2

To allow passage through a checkpoint or to enable or facilitate something, or provide credentials.

/ˈpɑːspɔːrt/

verbneutralAdvanced
Action

To pass or be accepted through customs.

His connections passported his career into a successful direction.

💡 Simply: Think of 'passport' as a way to get through a challenge or open a door to something. Like, her amazing performance 'passported' her into the spotlight!

👶 For kids: You could use 'passport' to mean something like to let something go past something else, like a gate. (Very Uncommon.)

More Examples

2

The innovation passported her into a different level of success.

How It's Used

Figurative

"Her talent passported her into the industry."

Tip:Imagine your credentials allowing you to 'passport' across a barrier.

Idioms & expressions

valid passport

A passport that is current and has not expired.

"You must have a valid passport to enter the country."

to check someone's passport

The act of examining a person's passport.

"The customs officer checked my passport at the airport."

From French *passeport*, derived from *passer* ('to pass') and *port* ('port, harbor'), indicating a document allowing passage.

The term *passport* and similar documents have existed for centuries, evolving from safe-conduct passes and letters of protection to standardized travel documents.

Memory tip

Think of it as your 'pass' to 'port' (another country).

Word Origin

LanguageFrench
Original meaning

"A document that 'passes' you through a port or border."

valid passportexpired passportpassport controlpassport officerenew a passport

Common misspellings

passpportpass portpass portpassprt

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written