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
Here are three of our most eye-catching stories from the past week.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 May 2024
The warning was issued at 3:09 p.m. on Thursday, and the most recent report regarding this incident was released on Thursday at 3:12 p.m.
Past Incidents in the last 12 hours:
There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours.
—Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the past 
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 May 2024
The warning was issued at 3:09 p.m. on Thursday, and the most recent report regarding this incident was released on Thursday at 3:12 p.m.
Past Incidents in the last 12 hours:
There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours.
—Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the past
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the past.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 2 Jun. 2024.
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