1 B2 neutral
To walk past a person or place in a formal or military procession.
"The regiment marched past the cenotaph during the Remembrance Day ceremony."
inseparable
march past
B2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To walk past someone or something in a formal, military, or disciplined manner, especially in a ceremonial procession.
In plain English
Walk proudly and formally in front of someone, like soldiers do in a parade.
What does "march past" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To pass by quickly or in sequence, often used figuratively of images or memories.
"As she sat quietly, the events of the past year seemed to march past her mind."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To march (walk in formation) and pass by a fixed point — the meaning is transparent.
Actually means
Walk proudly and formally in front of someone, like soldiers do in a parade.
Usage tip
Most commonly used in military and ceremonial contexts. Also used as a noun: 'the march-past'. Can be used figuratively to describe a series of things passing by in quick succession.
Words that pair with "march past"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
troops soldiers guard reviewing stand crowd memorial
How to conjugate "march past"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
march past
I/you/we/they
3rd person
marches past
he/she/it
Past simple
marched past
yesterday
Past participle
marched past
have + pp
-ing form
marching past
continuous
Hear "march past" in the wild
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Other ways to say "march past"
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