Passage
noun /ˈpæsɪdʒ/ — A way through — physical, temporal, or metaphorical.
Definition
A way through or from one place to another; the act of moving through or past something; also, a section of writing or music, or the process of time passing.
Beyond the definition
Passage is one of the most layered words in English — it names the movement through space, through time, through stages of life. A rite of passage marks a threshold crossed. A passage of music holds a complete emotional moment. A narrow passage tests whether you'll fit.
Origin & history
From Old French passage — act of passing (from passer: to pass, from Latin passus: step). The space made by steps. Every passage implies movement.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The secret passage behind the bookshelf was everything she'd hoped for as a child.
She was in a difficult passage of her life — not unhappy exactly, but in the middle of something she couldn't yet name.
The passage of time was kind to his reputation; what had seemed controversial became essential.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Passage” when the meaning fits your context: A way through or from one place to another; the act of moving through or past something; also, a section of writing or music, or the process of time passing.
Synonyms
corridor, channel, route, thoroughfare, transition, excerpt
Antonyms
blockage, barrier, dead end, standstill
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Empty station platform at dusk
An adult stands in a grand, empty railway station platform at dusk, with shadows cast by iron architecture.
The platform is a transitional space, representing the movement from one location to another. It illustrates the physical and mental state of being between two distinct points in time.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Passage" mean?
Passage is noun meaning: A way through — physical, temporal, or metaphorical.. A way through or from one place to another; the act of moving through or past something; also, a section of writing or music, or the process of time passing.
Where does the word "Passage" come from?
From Old French passage — act of passing (from passer: to pass, from Latin passus: step). The space made by steps. Every passage implies movement.