I. pass ‧ ing 1 /ˈpɑːsɪŋ $ ˈpæ-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ pass , ↑ overpass ≠ ↑ underpass , ↑ passage , ↑ passing ; adjective : ↑ passing , ↑ passable ≠ ↑ impassable ; verb : ↑ pass ]
1 . the passing of time/the years the process of time going by:
Most of the old traditions have died out with the passing of time.
The passing of the years had done nothing to improve his temper.
2 . mention/note something in passing if you say something in passing, you mention it while you are mainly talking about something else:
He did mention his brother’s wife, but only in passing.
3 . the passing of something is the fact that it has ended:
The old regime was defeated, and few people mourned its passing.
4 . the passing of a person is their death – use this when you want to avoid using the word ‘death’:
Nothing could fill the gap in her life left by his passing.
II. passing 2 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ pass , ↑ overpass ≠ ↑ underpass , ↑ passage , ↑ passing ; adjective : ↑ passing , ↑ passable ≠ ↑ impassable ; verb : ↑ pass ]
1 . going past a place or person:
Michael watched the passing cars.
A passing motorist stopped to help.
2 . passing days/weeks/years etc literary the days, weeks, years etc that pass:
Her grief became less intense with the passing years.
With each passing day she grew stronger.
3 . a passing thought or feeling is short and not very serious:
He had only ever shown a passing interest in sport.
4 . a passing remark is one that you make while you are talking about something else:
He made only a passing reference to her achievements.