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
Explore our new section Her work has earned her a front-row seat to the profound changes that have reshaped this slice of the Mojave Desert over the past few years, as pandemic-era policies attracted hordes of investors and new residents.
—
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
But, in the course of the past year and a half, the Mavericks have gathered a group of young, athletic players, through the draft, free agency, and trades.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
Ringwald has worked consistently in film, television and theater for the past four decades, moving into more adult roles in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
In the past year, Hadid has moved to Texas and settled into her new home in Fort Worth.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
Over the past several months, protests have taken place in Boise in support of Palestine and Israel.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 4 May 2024
Khan, who replaced Boris Johnson as London mayor in 2016, has been an increasingly divisive figure in the past few years.
—TIME, 4 May 2024
Protests have also roiled the nation of Georgia for the past several weeks.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 3 May 2024
To offer a glimpse into the past, the benefit featured aged images, contact sheets, and pamphlets from the archives, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the early stages of DanceAfrica and the world of Mikki Sheppard.
—Vogue, 3 May 2024
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
But, in the course of the past year and a half, the Mavericks have gathered a group of young, athletic players, through the draft, free agency, and trades.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
Ringwald has worked consistently in film, television and theater for the past four decades, moving into more adult roles in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024
In the past year, Hadid has moved to Texas and settled into her new home in Fort Worth.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
Over the past several months, protests have taken place in Boise in support of Palestine and Israel.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 4 May 2024
Khan, who replaced Boris Johnson as London mayor in 2016, has been an increasingly divisive figure in the past few years.
—TIME, 4 May 2024
Protests have also roiled the nation of Georgia for the past several weeks.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 3 May 2024
To offer a glimpse into the past, the benefit featured aged images, contact sheets, and pamphlets from the archives, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the early stages of DanceAfrica and the world of Mikki Sheppard.
—Vogue, 3 May 2024
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 10 May. 2024.
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