passing

Universal Words 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 law: the passing of a resolution / statute / law IDIOMS in passing done or said while you are giving your attention to sth else SYNCASUALLY: He only mentioned it in passing and didn't give any details. adjective [onlybeforenoun] 1 lasting only for a short period of time and then disappearing SYNBRIEF: a passing phase / thought / interest * He makes only a passing reference to the theory in 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 * I was forced to ask passing strangers for money.