Passport
/ˈpæs.pɔːrt/noun
An official document that identifies a traveler and permits international travel.
Did you know?The word began as a paper permit for passing through a city gate or port, and the modern travel document kept that same core idea of authorized passage.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
passport
“A permit or authorization to pass through a place, especially a gate or port”
16th Century
English
pass port
“A written permission to pass through a port or gate”
Middle French
French
passeport
“A pass for entry or departure”
Latin
Latin
passus
“A step; from the verb meaning to step or pass”
Latin
Latin
portus
“A harbor, haven, or port”