repass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2+ / Rare)Formal, Literary, Legal, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “repass” mean?
To pass again, especially to go back over a path or through a place a second time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To pass again, especially to go back over a path or through a place a second time.
1. To pass a law or motion again for reconsideration or re-enactment. 2. In legal/ceremonial contexts, to pass in review or procession a second time. 3. (Archaic) To pass by, go past, or transcend.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The ceremonial/literal sense ('to pass through again') is marginally more common in BrE historical narrative. The legislative sense ('to pass a law again') is equally understood in both but is technical jargon.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of formality, deliberation, or historical action. It lacks casual connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. More likely to be found in written contexts than spoken.
Grammar
How to Use “repass” in a Sentence
[NP] repassed [NP] (transitive)[NP] repassed through/across/over [NP] (intransitive with prepositional phrase)[NP] repassed (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the amendments, the Lords required the Commons to repass the bill.
- The mourners will repass the cenotaph in a final salute.
- We had to repass through customs due to a documentation error.
American English
- The Senate voted to repass the legislation with a veto-proof majority.
- The convoy repassed the dusty frontier town at dawn.
- He decided to repass the same mountain trail he had hiked in his youth.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or legal writing to describe the re-enactment of legislation or the retracing of a historical route.
Everyday
Extremely rare. A native speaker would likely use a paraphrase like 'go back over' or 'pass the law again'.
Technical
Specific to parliamentary procedure (passing a bill again after amendment or veto) and certain military/ceremonial contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “repass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “repass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repass”
- Using 'repass' to mean 'to pass an exam again' (use 'retake' or 'resit').
- Using it in casual speech where simpler phrases are expected, sounding unnatural.
- Incorrect stress: placing primary stress on the first syllable (RE-pass) instead of the second (re-PASS).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Overtake' means to catch up and pass something moving in the same direction. 'Repass' means to pass through the same point or place a second time, or to pass a law again.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday situations, phrases like 'go back over', 'pass again', or 're-approve' are far more common.
No, that is a common mistake. The correct verbs are 'retake' (AmE/BrE) or 'resit' (primarily BrE).
The primary stress is on the second syllable: re-PASS (/ˌriːˈpɑːs/ or /ˌriˈpæs/). The prefix 're-' is unstressed.
To pass again, especially to go back over a path or through a place a second time.
Repass is usually formal, literary, legal, archaic in register.
Repass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈpɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈpæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common usage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REceipt you need to PASS through the checkout a second time because you forgot an item. RE + PASS = to PASS again.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY/LEGISLATION AS A PATH: The act of moving along a path (literal or procedural) a second time.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'repass' MOST appropriately used?