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

The pact will keep the six-time Pro Bowler off the free-agent market this offseason and under contract through the 2027 season. —Doug Haller, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024

The Jennifer Tilly assemblage is her, Sutton, and Kyle, and Sutton is talking about how Dorit has no idea what her sisterhood pact was all about. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024

Freeland, who was then foreign minister, played a large role in helping renegotiate the pact and saving Canada's economy, which is heavily reliant on the United States. —David Ljunggren, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the pact in November 2020. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 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"