easy
The photograph shows our town in the past.
What does Past mean?
The past is the time before now; past can also mean earlier or beyond a point.
Dictionary definition
Past can name the time before now, describe something earlier or finished, or mean beyond a point in place, time, age, or ability. In grammar, the past refers to verb forms used mainly for earlier events and states.
Example sentences
Past in a sentence
easy
We walked past the library and turned left.
medium
It was half past three when practice ended.
medium
Her past experience helped her solve the problem.
hard
Went is the past form of go.
hard
The tired hikers pushed past the steepest part of the trail.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice past in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Commonly confused words
Passed or past?
Compare the meanings, then choose a word for each new sentence.
Passed
Went by, handed something over, or succeeded in a test.
In a sentence The bus passed our stop.
Past
Earlier time, or beyond a place or point.
In a sentence We walked past the fountain.
Spot the difference Passed is the past form of pass. Past can mean earlier time or beyond a point.
Which word fits?
Choose passed or past for each blank. Say your answer, then check why it fits.
1Yesterday, Leo ___ the ball to his teammate.
Check answer 1
passed — The sentence needs the past-tense action of handing the ball on.
2The path leads ___ the pond and into the woods.
Check answer 2
past — Past tells where the path leads, beyond the pond.
Make it your ownTry the word in a sentence about your day.
Write a sentence with pastQuick practice
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Practice the meaning of Past
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does past mean in “We cycled past the school” ?
Past marks movement by and beyond a place.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses past as a noun for earlier time?
The past names the time before now.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses past, not passed, correctly?
Past can mean beyond a place; passed is the past-tense verb form of pass.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Past
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PAST
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PAST
Learn
WordPast.
Partnoun, adjective, preposition, adverb.
MeaningPast means The past is the time before now; past can also mean earlier or beyond a point.
ExampleExample: The photograph shows our town in the past.
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Nice work—you practiced past.
Synonyms
Words like Past
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice past synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The playground is beyond the garden," then compare close word choices. Practice past synonyms.
Word family
Past word family
Base word
past
noun
pasts
Separate histories or earlier experiences belonging to different people or things.
noun
past tense
A grammar term for forms used mainly to locate events or states before the present.
noun
past perfect
A verb construction such as had finished that places one past event before another.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Past
Hint for students
Look for an earlier time, something that has finished, movement beyond a point, or minutes after an hour.
Common mix-up
Past and passed sound alike. Past names or describes earlier time and can mean beyond; passed is the past form of the verb pass.
Try it in class or at home
Students sort eight sentences into earlier time, earlier description, beyond a place, clock time, and grammar, then rewrite one sentence by replacing past with a sense-matched phrase.
Teacher prompt
Compare the past, a past event, walked past, and half past four. Ask students what clue selects time, description, position, or clock time.
Word Wheels
Practice Past with a Word Wheel
Explore 2 wheels that include this word.
1 of 2
Word Wheel
Practice with the Time & Calendar Words Wheel
Spin this researched Time & Calendar wheel to connect units, parts of the day, calendars, schedules, and words for past, present, and future time.
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Past and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice PAST” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice PAST
Sentence Builder
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Write a sentence with PAST
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Spell Hive
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Vocabulary Match
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Context Clue Challenge
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Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
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