n (grammar) 'Past tense' is the form of language used to refer to an
event,
transaction, or
occurrence that did happen or has happened, or an object that existed, at a point in time before now. Compare with
present tense, which refers to an event, transaction or occurrence which is happening now (or at the
present time), or an object that currently exists; or with
future tense, which refers to an event, transaction or
occurrence that has not yet happened, is expected to happen in the
future, or might never happen.