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

Participants in Passover Seders imagine that they themselves were freed from the pharaoh’s yoke. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Midway through the film, each congregation visits the other’s house of worship during celebrations of Passover and Easter. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024

Verb

His name had repeatedly surfaced as a potential prime minister in the past, but he was passed over. —Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

But the stirring film was passed over for best drama and best supporting actor (Clarence Maclin) at the Globes, landing a lone nod for best actor (Colman Domingo). —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 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