Skip to main content

pass a billto approve a proposed law in a legislative body

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to approve a proposed law in a legislative body

Pronunciation (IPA): /pæs ə bɪl/

Example Sentences

  • The senator promised to pass a bill making Monday mornings illegal.
  • After 50 amendments, they finally passed a bill about... what was it about again?
  • The parliament will vote to pass the environmental protection bill next week.

pass a bill

VERB

[/pæs ə bɪl/]

to approve a proposed law in a legislative body

to approve a proposed law in a legislative body
💡 Concept

to approve a proposed law in a legislative body

The class on grass celebrates as they pass a bill!
🎵 Rhyme

The class on grass celebrates as they pass a bill!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/pæs ə bɪl/
🇬🇧 UK/pɑːs ə bɪl/

🌳Etymology

Origin

Pass derives from Latin passus, meaning 'to go through' or 'to traverse'. Bill originates from Medieval Latin bulla, originally referring to an official seal or sealed document. The phrase developed metaphorically to describe legislation moving through parliamentary procedures, as if passing through a gateway of approval.

Breakdown

pass (Latin passus: to go through) + bill (Medieval Latin bulla: sealed official document). The compound phrase uses 'pass' as a verb of movement and 'bill' as the legislative object being advanced through procedural stages.

🎵Rhyme

classgrassmass
class
grass
mass

🔗Collocations

pass a controversial bill
pass the budget bill
unanimously pass a bill
fail to pass a bill
rush to pass a bill
pass a healthcare bill

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The senator promised to pass a bill making Monday mornings illegal.

😄 Fun example

After 50 amendments, they finally passed a bill about... what was it about again?

The parliament will vote to pass the environmental protection bill next week.

They managed to pass the bill despite strong opposition from lobby groups.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

approve legislationenact a lawadopt a billratify legislation

Antonyms

reject a billveto legislationdefeat a bill

Related

legislaturecongressparliamentvoteamendmentproposal

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.