past meaning and definition

PAST noun

Definition of past (noun)

1. the time that has elapsed
   • "forget the past"
   • synonyms: past times, yesteryear
   • antonym: future
2. a earlier period in someone's life (especially one that they have reason to keep secret)
   • "reporters dug into the candidate's past"
3. a verb tense that expresses actions or states in the past
   • synonyms: past tense

PAST adjective

Definition of past (adjective)

1. earlier than the present time; no longer current
   • "time past"; "his youth is past"; "this past Thursday"; "the past year"
   • antonym: present
2. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
   • "a retiring member of the board"
   • synonyms: preceding, retiring

PAST adverb

Definition of past (adverb)

1. so as to pass a given point
   • "every hour a train goes past"
   • synonyms: by