/ ˈpɑːsɪŋ; NAmE ˈpæs-/ noun , adjective
■ noun [ U ]
1.
the ~ of time / the years the process of time going by
2.
( formal ) the fact of sth ending or of sb dying :
When the government is finally brought down, no one will mourn its passing.
the passing of the old year (= on New Year's Eve)
Many will mourn her passing (= her death, when you do not want to say this directly) .
3.
the ~ of sth the act of making sth become a law :
the passing of a resolution / law
•
IDIOMS
- in passing
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
lasting only for a short period of time and then disappearing
SYN brief :
a passing phase / thought / interest
He makes only a passing reference to the theory in his book (= it is not the main subject of his book) .
She bears more than a passing resemblance to (= looks very like) your sister.
2.
going past :
I love him more with each passing day.
the noise of passing cars
3.
( NAmE ) passing grade / mark a grade / mark that achieves the required standard in an exam, a test, etc.