great st bernard pass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Geographical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “great st bernard pass” mean?
A high mountain pass in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A high mountain pass in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
The term refers specifically to a historic and strategically important route through the Alps, famous for its hospice run by Augustinian monks and the eponymous St. Bernard dog breed used for mountain rescue. It can be used as a proper noun for the geographical location and, by extension, in discussions of Alpine history, European geography, and mountaineering.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Both varieties treat it as a proper noun for the same location. Spelling of 'Great St Bernard' is consistent (though 'St.' with a period is also common in AmE).
Connotations
Conveys connotations of Alpine history, European geography, historical travel, and mountain rescue. Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in geographical, historical, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “great st bernard pass” in a Sentence
[Verb] + the + Great St Bernard Pass (e.g., Napoleon crossed...)[Preposition] + the + Great St Bernard Pass (e.g., over the...)the + Great St Bernard Pass + [Verb] (e.g., ...links Switzerland and Italy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great st bernard pass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The army was forced to Great-St-Bernard-Pass its way through the snow. (Note: This is highly contrived; the term is not used as a verb.)
American English
- They plan to Great-St-Bernard-Pass the Alps next summer. (Note: This is highly contrived; the term is not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- They travelled Great-St-Bernard-Pass-ly. (Note: This is fabricated; the term has no adverbial form.)
American English
- The route goes Great-St-Bernard-Pass-ward. (Note: This is fabricated; the term has no adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The Great-St-Bernard-Pass route is now largely superseded by the tunnel. (Note: This is a noun adjunct, not a true adjective.)
American English
- We studied the Great-St-Bernard-Pass crossing in history class. (Note: This is a noun adjunct, not a true adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or logistics related to Alpine transport.
Academic
Used in geographical, historical, and glaciological studies.
Everyday
Rare, used mainly in discussions of travel, history, or geography.
Technical
Used in cartography, geology, and transport engineering.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great st bernard pass”
- Omitting 'Great' (it's part of the proper name).
- Incorrect spelling: 'St. Bernard's Pass'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a great st bernard pass').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The full, formal name is 'Great St Bernard Pass'. 'St Bernard Pass' or 'St. Bernard Pass' are common shortened forms. 'Saint Bernard Pass' is also understood but less common in official names.
The 'Great' distinguishes it from the nearby Little St Bernard Pass ('Petit Saint-Bernard' in French), another Alpine pass.
Yes, the large breed of rescue dog is named after the pass and the hospice of Great St Bernard, where they were historically bred and used by the monks for rescue operations.
Yes, a road crosses the pass, but it is often closed by snow from autumn to late spring. A major road tunnel (the Great St Bernard Tunnel) provides a year-round alternative beneath the pass.
A high mountain pass in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Great st bernard pass is usually formal, geographical, historical in register.
Great st bernard pass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt sənt ˈbɜːnəd pɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt seɪnt bərˈnɑːrd pæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GREAT SAINT named Bernard with a big dog, standing at the PASS between two giant mountains.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BARRIER TO BE CROSSED (metaphor for a significant challenge or historical obstacle).
Practice
Quiz
What is the Great St Bernard Pass primarily known as?