treaty

noun

trea·​ty ˈtrē-tē 

plural treaties

1

a

: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation:

(1)

: a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (such as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state

(2)

: private treaty

b

: a document in which such a contract is set down

2

: the action of treating and especially of negotiating

Synonyms

• accord
• alliance
• compact
• convention
• covenant
• pact

Examples of treaty in a Sentence

a nuclear test ban treaty

in accordance with a treaty between the United States and the tribes of the Pacific Northwest, commercial fishing of certain kinds of salmon is limited to Native Americans

Recent Examples on the Web

Intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles with a range above 500 kilometers and below 5,500 kilometers are banned under a Soviet-era treaty between Washington and Moscow, although the U.S. pulled out of it in 2019 after accusing Russia of violating the agreement. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Nevertheless, their conviction allowed Brazil to invoke a mutual legal assistance treaty with the United States and ask the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to order the emerald’s forfeiture. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

The founders expected the federal government to deal with issues of national concern, such as protecting the border, entering into treaties with other nations, and settling disputes between the states. —Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

And with 53 seats in the Senate, in particular, Republicans will be able to approve a long list of Trump's judicial nominees, approve (or withdraw from) any treaties and, of course, sign off on his Cabinet nominees. —G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trete, from Anglo-French treté, from past participle of treter to discuss, treat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing treaty

• nonaggression pact/treaty
• nonaggression treaty/pact
• peace treaty
• private treaty
• treaty port

Kids Definition

treaty

noun

trea·​ty ˈtrēt-ē 

plural treaties

: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation

especially : one between two or more states or rulers

Legal Definition

treaty

noun

trea·​ty

plural treaties

1

: the action of treating and especially of negotiating

2

: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation: as

a

: private treaty

b

: a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state

the President…shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties

—U.S. Constitution art. II

compare executive agreement

3

: a document embodying a negotiated agreement or contract

4

: an agreement or contract (as between companies) providing for treaty reinsurance

Etymology

Anglo-French treté, from Middle French traité, from Medieval Latin tractatus, from Latin, handling, treatment, from tractare to treat, handle