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

After downloading it to their phones and entering their passport information, foreign nationals could use the application to smooth their way through border crossings and airports. —Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Starting in about a month, babies born under those conditions won't get federal documents that recognize U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or Social Security card. —Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

Under current policy, employers in states that do not have mandatory E-Verify laws must complete an I-9 form for every employee, which requires the employer to examine an employee’s work authorization documentation, such as a passport, driver’s license, permanent resident card or other forms. —Rachel Spacek, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2025

International travelers from the island with a Cuban passport do not need to apply for the electronic visa. —Maykel Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

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