pass down
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To hand over, pass through or transfer to a lower level, next generation, etc.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
In poor families, solid clothes are passed down from elder children to kid siblings, who must wear them out or if they outgrow them pass them down to still younger relatives
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pass, down.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “pass down” mean?
To hand over, pass through or transfer to a lower level, next generation, etc.
Is “pass down” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.