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

For its first three seasons on Syfy, Resident Alien also had a next-day pact for Peacock. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024

The Biden administration has sought to sign a new, formal defense pact with Saudi Arabia. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024

North Korea and Russia have recently ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership that their leaders signed in June, which includes a mutual defense pact. —Reuters, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024

His pact runs through 2028 and features $41.8 million in guarantees. —Oliver Thomas, Forbes, 4 Nov. 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"