Etymology From Middle English passed, past participle of passen (“to pass, to go by”), whence Modern English pass.
1
The period of time that has already happened, in contrast to the present and the future.
a book about a time machine that can transport people back into the past
1830, Daniel Webster, a speech The past, at least, is secure.
3 more examples
The present is only intelligible in the light of the past, often a very remote past indeed.1860, Richard Chenevix Trench, On the English Language, Past and Present:
Every time the little gate creaks--I'm in the shed with the tanks at the end of the garden--I wonder from which of my pasts the person is arriving, seeking me out even here: maybe it is only the past of yesterday and of this same suburb, the squat Arab garbage collector who in October begins his rounds for tips, house by house, with a Happy New Year card, because he says that his colleagues keep all the December tips for themselves and he never gets a penny; but it could also be the more distant pasts pursuing old Ruedi, finding the little gate in the Impasse: smugglers from Valais, mercenaries from Katanga, croupiers from the Veradero casino and the days of Fulgencio Batista.1979, Italo Calvino, If on a Winter's Night a Traveler:
The Mesozoic landscape of southeastern Utah can tell us much about the past, and it's one of the most intriguing and beautiful landscapes on Earth.2012, Chinle Miller, In Mesozoic Lands: The Mesozoic Geology of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Kindle edition:
Etymology From Middle English passed, past participle of passen (“to pass, to go by”), whence Modern English pass.
1
Having already happened; in the past; finished.
past glories
The highway to the East Coast which ran through the borough of Ebbfield had always been a main road and even now, despite the vast garages, the pylons and the gaily painted factory glasshouses which had sprung up beside it, there still remained an occasional trace of past cultures.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 7, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
2
Following expressions of time to indicate how long ago something happened; ago.
That had been, what, three years past?1999, George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam, published 2011, page 538:
Some four decades past, as a boy, I had a chance encounter and conversation with the late W.A. Poucher [...].2009, John Sadler, Glencoe, Amberley, published 2009, page 20:
3
Of a period of time: having just gone by; previous.
during the past year
Sarkozy's total will be seen as a personal failure. It is the first time an outgoing president has failed to win a first-round vote in the past 50 years and makes it harder for Sarkozy to regain momentum.2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in The Guardian:
4
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Of a tense, expressing action that has already happened or a previously-existing state.
What's the time? - It's now quarter past twelve midday (or 12.15pm) -O,K., we'll stop at half (past) twelve
But they were stunned when Glen Johnson's error let in Peter Odemwingie to fire past Pepe Reina on 75 minutes.2012 April 22, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0-1 West Brom”, in BBC Sport:
3
No longer capable of.
I'm past caring what he thinks of me.
4
Having recovered or moved on from (a traumatic experience, etc.).
5
Passing by, especially without stopping or being delayed.
Ignore them, we'll play past them.
Please don't drive past the fruit stand, I want to stop there.