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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Financial terms of the deal were not revealed, though sources note the pact is again worth in the mid-eight-figure range. —
Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2023 My pact with both women was to be the Hedge Against Violence. —Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023 The new pact that replaced Mérida is very much on López Obrador’s terms. —Tim Golden, ProPublica, 8 Dec. 2022 Such a pact would be the most consequential environmental treaty in years, on par with 2015's Paris Agreement on climate change. —Aurora Almendral, Quartz, 7 Dec. 2022 The pact for Artists Equity is a big swing for RedBird at a pure-play content venture. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Nov. 2022 But is there a Fasutian pact, a threat to the very soul, in this scramble to become part of the one percent? —A.a. Dowd, Chron, 27 Jan. 2023 In 2021 Miami-Dade officials negotiated what was to be a 19-year, $135 million naming rights pact with FTX. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2023 And so begins the long road to negotiating what is expected to be yet another mammoth sports-rights pact between a major league and a bevy of media companies. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Nov. 2022 See More
Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2023 My pact with both women was to be the Hedge Against Violence. —Han Ong, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023 The new pact that replaced Mérida is very much on López Obrador’s terms. —Tim Golden, ProPublica, 8 Dec. 2022 Such a pact would be the most consequential environmental treaty in years, on par with 2015's Paris Agreement on climate change. —Aurora Almendral, Quartz, 7 Dec. 2022 The pact for Artists Equity is a big swing for RedBird at a pure-play content venture. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Nov. 2022 But is there a Fasutian pact, a threat to the very soul, in this scramble to become part of the one percent? —A.a. Dowd, Chron, 27 Jan. 2023 In 2021 Miami-Dade officials negotiated what was to be a 19-year, $135 million naming rights pact with FTX. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2023 And so begins the long road to negotiating what is expected to be yet another mammoth sports-rights pact between a major league and a bevy of media companies. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Nov. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
pact
noun ˈpakt
: agreement sense 2
especially : a treaty between countries
pact
noun
1
as in treaty
a formal agreement between two or more nations or peoples a pact between the two small nations to defend one another in case of attack Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- treaty
- alliance
- accord
- convention
- covenant
- deal
- contract
- compact
- settlement
- bargain
- entente
- concord
- charter
- bond
- understanding
- entente cordiale
- projet
2
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken they made a pact to meet every week at the same time Synonyms & Similar Words
- agreement
- convention
- contract
- deal
- promise
- settlement
- bargain
- covenant
- treaty
- understanding
- pledge
- accord
- compact
- partnership
- association
- charter
- alliance
- disposition
- entente
- approval
- consent
- binder
- league
- acceptance
- assent
- okay
- concurrence
- entente cordiale
- OK