passing

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   success in satisfying a test or requirement

   The medical students knew that their careers depended on passing the board exams.

2. 2
   noun

   going by something that is moving in order to get in front of it

   I drove well, but my reckless passing of every car on the road frightened my passengers.

3. 3
   noun

   (American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

   the coach sent in a passing play on third and long

4. 4
   noun

   the end of something

   the passing of winter

5. 5
   noun

   the motion of one object relative to another

   stellar passings can perturb the orbits of comets

6. 6
   noun

   euphemistic expression for death

   Thousands mourned my passing and they were pretty angry to find out it was a hoax.

7. 7
   adj

   That passes away; ephemeral.

   And solace sought he none from priest nor leech, / And soon the same in movement and in speech / As heretofore he fill'd the passing hours […]

8. 8
   adj

   Pre-eminent, excellent, extreme.

   her passing deformity

Etymology

From pass + -ing.