1
: going by or past
a passing pedestrian
2
: having a brief duration
a passing whim
3
obsolete
: surpassing
4
: superficial
a passing acquaintance
a passing resemblance
5
a
: of, relating to, or used in or for the act or process of passing
passing lanes
b
: given on satisfactory completion of an examination or course of study
a passing grade
: to a surpassing degree : exceedingly
passing strange
Examples of passing in a Sentence
Noun
After her husband's passing, she moved to a smaller house.
We all mourned his passing.
Adjective
Someone called out from a passing car.
She sells flowers to passing motorists.
Let's hope that these shoes are just a passing fad.
a passing phase in childhood
Adverb
a passing strange turn of events
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The passing of a beloved furry family member is never easy.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Some media companies barely mentioned it, like NBCU’s Mark Marshall, who made only a passing mention of AI during his time onstage.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
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Noun
The post did not disclose additional details about Carter’s passing, including the cause of death.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The passing of a beloved furry family member is never easy.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Adjective
Since 2023, no NFL defense has given up more passing yards than Tampa Bay.
—John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
Some media companies barely mentioned it, like NBCU’s Mark Marshall, who made only a passing mention of AI during his time onstage.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for passing
Cite this Entry
“Passing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
passing
1 of 2 noun
pass·ing
ˈpas-iŋ 
1
: the act of one that passes or causes to pass
2
passing
2 of 2 adjective1
: going by or past
the passing crowd
2
: lasting only for a short time
3
: used for the act or process of passing
the passing lane
4
: given on satisfactory completion of an examination or course of study
a passing grade
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