passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpȯrt 

plural passports

1

a

: a formal document issued by an authorized official of a country to one of its citizens that is usually necessary for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance with visa requirements, and that requests protection for the citizen while abroad

b

: a license issued by a country permitting a foreign citizen to pass or take goods through its territory : safe-conduct

c

: a document of identification required by law to be carried by persons residing or traveling within a country

2

a

: a permission or authorization to go somewhere

b

: something that secures admission, acceptance, or attainment

education as a passport to success

see also vaccine passport

Synonyms

• gateway
• key
• open sesame
• secret
• ticket

Examples of passport in a Sentence

meeting that movie director could be your passport to a big acting career

to its followers, the cult seemed like their passport to heaven

Recent Examples on the Web

For organizational purposes, this Fossil bag has four pockets, one of which can be designated for a passport, I.D., and cell phone, so the whole traveling process can go much smoother. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

With credit card details and a passport being provided before your arrival, you’re simply whisked up to your room, and throughout the course of your stay, not a single bill will need to be presented to you or signed for. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024

Federal authorities consider Smith, who holds U.S. and U.K. passports, a flight risk. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

In the event your purse is stolen, your passport, cards, and money will still be safe on your person. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) pasport, from Middle French passeport, from passer to pass + port port, from Latin portus — more at ford

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing passport

• vaccine passport

Kids Definition

passport

noun

pass·​port ˈpas-ˌpō(ə)rt 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: a government-issued document that serves to identify a citizen and allows him or her to travel to foreign countries

2

: something that allows a person to reach a desired goal

education can be a passport to a successful future