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

In any case, the two countries’ relationship does not hinge only on normalization, the defense pact or Palestinian statehood, especially under Mr. Trump. —Vivian Yee, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

This pact, brokered with the help of Wasserman agents, is worth six figures. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025

The United States agreed to them after years of complex negotiations known as the Uruguay Round, which ended in a trade pact involving 123 countries. —Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025

The pact also comes with a $3 million club option for 2026 or a $350,000 buyout. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for pact

• act
• backed
• blacked
• bract
• cracked
• fact
• hacked
• jacked
• lacked
• packed
• racked
• sacked

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"