pact

noun

ˈpakt 

: compact entry 4

especially : an international treaty

Did you know?

Pact has "peace" at its root because a pact often ends a period of unfriendly relations. The word is generally used in the field of international relations, where diplomats may speak of an "arms pact", a "trade pact", or a "fishing-rights pact". But it may also be used for any solemn agreement or promise between two people; after all, whenever two parties shake hands on a deal, they're not about to go to war with each other.

Synonyms

• accord
• alliance
• compact
• convention
• covenant
• treaty

Examples of pact in a Sentence

We supported a peace pact between the two countries.

They made a pact to go to the gym together three times a week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay—known as the Mercosur countries—agreed to the formation of a free-trade pact with the EU on Friday. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Dec. 2024

And there was a pact in that moment when Peter heard a great story: no one would be a bigger advocate of you or the show. —Matt Minton, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact with close ally Belarus on Friday that includes the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Moore spoke alongside Nicolas Lerner, head of France’s external intelligence agency, the DGSE, at an event marking 120 years of the Entente Cordiale, a pact between Britain and France that bound the age-old rivals together as military and diplomatic allies. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin pactum, from neuter of pactus, past participle of pacisci to agree, contract; akin to Old English fōn to seize, Latin pax peace, pangere to fix, fasten, Greek pēgnynai

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pact

• nonaggression pact/treaty
• nonaggression treaty/pact
• suicide pact

Kids Definition

pact

noun

ˈpakt 

: agreement sense 2

especially : a treaty between countries

Etymology

Middle English pact "agreement," from early French pact (same meaning), from Latin pactum (same meaning), derived from pacisci "to agree, contract"