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Added 3 October 2026

past

/pɑːst/ noun

In Latin: praeteritum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about past at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The period of time that has already happened, in contrast to the present and the future.
a book about a time machine that can transport people back into the past
The past tense.

adjective

Having already happened; in the past; finished. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
past glories
Following expressions of time to indicate how long ago something happened; ago.
Of a period of time: having just gone by; previous. foregone, #:
during the past year

adverb

In a direction that passes.
I watched him walk past.

preposition

Beyond in place or quantity.
the room past mine
Any number of minutes after the last hour.
What's the time? — It's now quarter past twelve midday (or 12:15 pm). — O.K., we'll stop at half (past) twelve.
No longer capable of.
I'm past caring what he thinks of me.

Origin

From Middle English passed, past participle of passen (“to pass, to go by”), whence Modern English pass.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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