Passage vs. Path: Difference and Comparison
By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on February 19, 2024
A "passage" refers to a corridor or the act of moving through, while a "path" is a way or track built for walking or traveling.
Difference Between Passage and Path
The terms passage and path, although closely related in the concept of movement or transition, bear distinct meanings. A passage often signifies a corridor or channel that one can traverse or the very act of traversing. In contrast, a path typically stands for a designated or natural route on land, specifically made or trodden for walking or traveling.
Muazma Batool
Jan 22, 2024
In literature, a passage could mean a distinct portion of a written work, be it a book, poem, or article. Here, the term has no physical dimension but rather denotes a segment of text. A path, however, in metaphorical literary use, can represent a journey, course of action, or life's trajectory, symbolizing direction and purpose.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 22, 2024
Architecturally, a passage might hint at corridors within buildings or structures, allowing movement from one area to another. On the other hand, a path predominantly pertains to the outdoors, linking various points, such as the path in a garden or a park.
Muazma Batool
Jan 22, 2024
Another distinction emerges when passage reflects a span of time or a rite. For instance, the passage of time or a rite of passage. Here, the focus is on transition and transformation. In contrast, a path consistently retains its meaning related to direction, guiding one from a starting point to a destination.
Nolan
Jan 22, 2024
In essence, while both passage and path encompass the idea of movement or direction, they differ in context, usage, and nuance, with passage often emphasizing transition and path focusing on direction.
Henry
Jan 22, 2024
Passage vs. Path Comparison Chart
Definition
A corridor or the act of moving through.
A way or track built for walking or traveling.
Muazma Batool
Jan 22, 2024
Usage in Literature
A segment of text or a portion of a written work.
A journey, course of action, or life's trajectory.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 22, 2024
Architectural Significance
Corridors within buildings or structures.
Designated or natural routes outdoors.
Muazma Batool
Jan 22, 2024
Symbolism
Reflects transition, like the passage of time.
Symbolizes direction from a starting point to a destination.
Jonathan
Jan 22, 2024
Broader Meanings
Can refer to a span of time or a rite.
Consistently pertains to routes or directions.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 22, 2024
Passage vs. Path Definitions
◉Passage
A way or route through which one can move or travel.
The narrow passage led them to the secret chamber.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Path
A way or track laid down for walking or traveling.
They followed the path through the forest.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
◉Passage
The act of moving from one place or state to another.
The passage from childhood to adulthood is marked by significant changes.
Olivia
Sep 16, 2023
◉Path
A course of action or a way of achieving a specified result.
He chose a path of non-violence.
Henry
Sep 16, 2023
◉Passage
A journey, especially by sea or air.
The passage across the Atlantic took three weeks.
Leo
Sep 16, 2023
◉Path
A course along which something moves or progresses.
The hurricane's path caused immense destruction.
Levi
Sep 16, 2023
◉Passage
Movement from one place to another
the passage of water through a sieve.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
The space above the earth where objects such as planets move.
The sun follows a specific path across the sky.
Jonathan
Sep 16, 2023
◉Passage
The process of changing from one condition or stage to another; transition
the passage from childhood to adulthood.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
The route or course along which something travels or moves
the path of a hurricane.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A journey, especially one by air or water
We had a rough passage on the stormy sea.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
The right to travel as a passenger, especially on a ship
book passage.
pay for one's passage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
A sequence of commands or a link between points that is needed to reach a particular goal.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
The right, permission, or power to come and go freely
Only medical supply trucks were granted safe passage through enemy territory.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A path, channel, or duct through, over, or along which something may pass
the nasal passages.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
An occurrence or event
"Another encouraging passage took place ... when heads of state ... took note of the extraneous factors affecting their economies that are beyond their control" (Helen Kitchen).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
(paganism) A Pagan tradition, for example witchcraft, Wicca, druidism, Heathenry.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Something, such as an exchange of words or blows, that occurs between two persons
a passage at arms.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A segment of a written work or speech
a celebrated passage from Shakespeare.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(Music) A segment of a composition, especially one that demonstrates the virtuousity of the composer or performer
a passage of exquisite beauty, played to perfection.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
(computing) A human-readable specification for a location within a hierarchical or tree-like structure, such as a file system or as part of a URL.
Use the network path
\\Marketing\Files to find the documents you need.Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
(graph theory) A sequence of vertices from one vertex to another using the arcs (edges). A path does not visit the same vertex more than once (unless it is a closed path, where only the first and the last vertex are the same).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(Physiology) The process of discharging something from a bodily part, such as evacuation of waste from the bowels.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
(topology) A continuous map from the unit interval to a topological space .
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(Medicine) The introduction of an instrument into a bodily cavity.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
(rail) A slot available for allocation to a railway train over a given route in between other trains.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A slow cadenced trot in which the horse raises and returns to the ground first one diagonal pair of feet, then the other.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
To navigate through a file system directory tree (to a desired file or folder).
Next, you need to path to the location of the executable and run it from there.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A paragraph or section of text or music with particular meaning.
passage of scripture
She struggled to play the difficult passages.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
A way, course, or track, in which anything moves or has moved; route; passage; an established way; as, the path of a meteor, of a caravan, of a storm, of a pestilence. Also used figuratively, of a course of life or action.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Part of a path or journey.
He made his passage through the trees carefully, mindful of the stickers.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
The official approval of a bill or act by a parliament.
The company was one of the prime movers in lobbying for the passage of the act.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
a course of conduct;
the path of virtue
we went our separate ways
our paths in life led us apart
genius usually follows a revolutionary path
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(art) The use of tight brushwork to link objects in separate spatial plains. Commonly seen in Cubist works.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
a line or route along which something travels or moves;
the hurricane demolished houses in its path
the track of an animal
the course of the river
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(nautical) A strait or other narrow waterway.
the Northwest Passage
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Path
A way of life, conduct, or thought.
She's on a spiritual path seeking enlightenment.
William
Sep 16, 2023
◉Passage
(caving) An underground cavity, formed by water or falling rocks, which is much longer than it is wide.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A gambling game for two players using three dice, in which the object is to throw a double over ten.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(dressage) A movement in classical dressage, in which the horse performs a very collected, energetic, and elevated trot that has a longer period of suspension between each foot fall than a working trot.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(medicine) To pass something, such as a pathogen or stem cell, through a host or medium.
He passaged the virus through a series of goats.
After 24 hours, the culture was passaged to an agar plate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
(rare) To make a passage, especially by sea; to cross.
They passaged to America in 1902.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Of a bird: Less than a year old but living on its own, having left the nest.
Passage red-tailed hawks are preferred by falconers because these younger birds have not yet developed the adult behaviors which would make them more difficult to train.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
The act of passing; transit from one place to another; movement from point to point; a going by, over, across, or through; as, the passage of a man or a carriage; the passage of a ship or a bird; the passage of light; the passage of fluids through the pores or channels of the body.
What! are my doors opposed against my passage!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Transit by means of conveyance; journey, as by water, carriage, car, or the like; travel; right, liberty, or means, of passing; conveyance.
The ship in which he had taken passage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Price paid for the liberty to pass; fare; as, to pay one's passage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Removal from life; decease; departure; death.
When he is fit and season'd for his passage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
Way; road; path; channel or course through or by which one passes; way of exit or entrance; way of access or transit. Hence, a common avenue to various apartments in a building; a hall; a corridor.
And with his pointed dartExplores the nearest passage to his heart.
The Persian army had advanced into the . . . passages of Cilicia.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A continuous course, process, or progress; a connected or continuous series; as, the passage of time.
The conduct and passage of affairs.
The passage and whole carriage of this action.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A separate part of a course, process, or series; an occurrence; an incident; an act or deed.
The . . . almost incredible passage of their unbelief.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A particular portion constituting a part of something continuous; esp., a portion of a book, speech, or musical composition; a paragraph; a clause.
How commentators each dark passage shun.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A pass or en encounter; as, a passage at arms.
No passages of loveBetwixt us twain henceforward evermore.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
In parliamentary proceedings: (a) The course of a proposition (bill, resolution, etc.) through the several stages of consideration and action; as, during its passage through Congress the bill was amended in both Houses. (b) The advancement of a bill or other proposition from one stage to another by an affirmative vote; esp., the final affirmative action of the body upon a proposition; hence, adoption; enactment; as, the passage of the bill to its third reading was delayed.
The final question was then put upon its passage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
a path or channel or duct through or along which something may pass;
the nasal passages
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
a bodily process of passing from one place or stage to another;
the passage of air from the lungs
the passing of flatus
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
the motion of one object relative to another;
stellar passings can perturb the orbits of comets
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Passage
A segment or portion of a written work.
The teacher asked students to read a short passage from the novel.
Henry
Sep 16, 2023
◉Passage
A span of time or a particular phase.
The passage of time has changed many historical perspectives.
Muazma Batool
Sep 16, 2023
Passage vs. Path Frequently Asked Questions
Can a passage be read?
Yes, in literature, a passage refers to a segment or portion of a written work.
Nolan
Jan 22, 2024
Is a path always physical?
No, a path can be metaphorical, representing life directions, decisions, or courses of action.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 22, 2024
Is a footpath the same as a path?
A footpath is a type of path specifically designed for walking, usually not permitting vehicles.
Elijah
Jan 22, 2024
Can a passage be a path?
While a passage can function like a path, typically in a building, its primary meaning is broader, encompassing corridors, text portions, or transitions.
Muazma Batool
Jan 22, 2024
What's a rite of passage?
A rite of passage is a ceremony or event marking a significant transition in life, such as puberty or marriage.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 22, 2024
Are passages longer than paths?
Not necessarily. The length of a passage or path depends on the context; a book passage might be short, while a mountain path could be long.
Leo
Jan 22, 2024
Does a path always lead somewhere?
Typically, a path implies direction, leading from a starting point to a destination, whether physical or metaphorical.
Kaitlyn
Jan 22, 2024
In what contexts is passage mostly used?
Passage finds diverse usage, from architecture (corridors) to literature (text segments) and symbolic transitions (like rites or time).
Muazma Batool
Jan 22, 2024
Can one walk a passage?
One can walk through a passage, especially if it denotes a corridor or channel in a building.
Leo
Jan 22, 2024
Can the word path be used symbolically?
Yes, path can symbolically represent life's journey, choices, or a course of action.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 22, 2024
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Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
