[pass.port] n [ME (Sc) pasport, fr. MF passeport, fr. passer to pass + port port, fr. L portus--more at ford] (15c) 1 a: a formal document issued by an authorized official of a country to one of its citizens that is usu. necessary for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance with visa requirements, and that requests protection for the citizen while abroad b: a license issued by a country permitting a foreign citizen to pass or take goods through its territory: safe-conduct c: a document of identification required by law to be carried by persons residing or traveling within a country
2. a: a permission or authorization to go somewhere b: something that secures admission, acceptance, or attainment "education as a ~ to success"