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

Recanati Reserve Petite Sirah is certified Kosher and comes to the US market in time for Passover and at an excellent price because of the US dollar to Israel shekel exchange rate. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025

One report complained that Palestinian flags were on campus at the start of Passover. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2025

Verb

If he’s passed over for the coordinator job again — Penn State did this last year with Allen — at some point, Poindexter might need to go elsewhere to take that next step. —Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Princess Iman isn’t the only sibling the throne passes over— her younger sister, Princess Salma, is in the same spot. —Janine Henni, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

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