Passover

1 of 2

noun

Pass·​over ˈpas-ˌō-vər 

: a Jewish holiday beginning on the 14th of Nisan and commemorating the Hebrews' liberation from slavery in Egypt

pass over

2 of 2

verb

passed over; passing over; passes over

transitive verb

1

: to ignore in passing

2

: to pay no attention to the claims of : disregard

Synonyms

Verb

• bypass
• disregard
• forget
• ignore
• neglect
• overlook
• overpass
• slight
• slur (over)

Examples of Passover in a Sentence

Verb

you seem to have passed over an important e-mail notice

I'd be willing to pass over this latest episode of tardiness if there hadn't been so many before.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, an earlier sandwich reference comes from stories of Hillel the Elder, a rabbi who suggested a form of a sandwich for Passover, placing lamb and bitter herbs between pieces of unleavened matzah bread. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2024

His wife and two of his daughters were killed during Passover in April 2023 in an attack by Palestinian militants. —David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

Transportation planners can improve roadway safety and increase habitat connectivity for wildlife by creating special critter byways—for mammals, birds, insects and other creatures—to pass over, under and across roads away from vehicles. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Women continue to face many obstacles at work, including getting passed over for leadership positions. —Owen Tripp, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from the exemption of the Israelites from the slaughter of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:23–27)

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Passover

1 of 2 noun

Pass·​over ˈpas-ˌō-vər 

: a Jewish holiday celebrated in March or April in honor of the freeing of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt

pass over

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)pas-ˈō-vər

1

: to ignore in passing

2

: to pay no attention to

Etymology

Noun

so called because in Exodus 12:23–27 the Lord passes over the homes of the Israelites in killing the firstborn in Egypt