the past
noun
1
: an earlier time : the time before the present
happy memories of the past
In the past, there was a company luncheon every month.
2
grammar
: a verb tense that is used to refer to the past : the past tense
The past of "walk" is "walked."
Examples of the past in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tyla has made dramatic cutout gowns a signature over the past year.
—
Marissa Muller, WWD, 26 Jan. 2025
Twenty four chicken barns were built about a half mile away from Lowery’s home over the past seven years.
—Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
Athan Lau's family uses red decorations to sweep out bad luck from the past year.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
Various American intelligence agencies and scientific groups have released reports about COVID’s origins in the past several years, reaching different conclusions.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the past 
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Marissa Muller, WWD, 26 Jan. 2025
Twenty four chicken barns were built about a half mile away from Lowery’s home over the past seven years.
—Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
Athan Lau's family uses red decorations to sweep out bad luck from the past year.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
Various American intelligence agencies and scientific groups have released reports about COVID’s origins in the past several years, reaching different conclusions.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the past
Dictionary Entries Near the past
Cite this Entry
“The past.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20past. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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