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
His production fell off greatly over the past two seasons, however.
—
Sam Blum, New York Times, 27 May 2025
After six teachers at one Liberty elementary school were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, advocates desperate for answers are making a plea for more information.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
In the past two decades, Panahi, like many of his countrymen and fellow-artists, has faced continual persecution by the Iranian government: he has been detained and imprisoned, placed under house arrest, forbidden to leave the country, and banned from filmmaking.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Kelleher, who helps maintain the carousel at the National Cathedral, said the ride has seen several major restorations over the past 60 years, including a 1990s campaign where donors adopted and redesigned the animals.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the past
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Sam Blum, New York Times, 27 May 2025
After six teachers at one Liberty elementary school were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, advocates desperate for answers are making a plea for more information.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
In the past two decades, Panahi, like many of his countrymen and fellow-artists, has faced continual persecution by the Iranian government: he has been detained and imprisoned, placed under house arrest, forbidden to leave the country, and banned from filmmaking.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Kelleher, who helps maintain the carousel at the National Cathedral, said the ride has seen several major restorations over the past 60 years, including a 1990s campaign where donors adopted and redesigned the animals.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the past
Cite this Entry
“The past.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20past. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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