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

Stroman’s pact with the Yankees may come as a shock to some, as the right-hander previously clashed with Brian Cashman and took shots at the team on social media. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024

The pact with OpenAI is part of a broader push by Apple into AI. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 13 June 2024

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that representatives of Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Howard University, along with higher education and business executives in both countries, signed the framework pact. —Essence, 28 May 2024

The item that the county board approved Tuesday calls for the two organizations to negotiate and return with a pact within 120 days or less. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 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"