pass a bill — to 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

The class on grass celebrates as they pass a bill!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳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
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“They managed to pass the bill despite strong opposition from lobby groups.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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