olive branch

noun

1
: a branch of the olive tree especially when used as a symbol of peace
2
: an offer or gesture of conciliation or goodwill

Examples of olive branch in a Sentence

The winner extended an olive branch to his opponent by calling him a great player.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In some corners of the world, an olive branch brings more hostility instead of less. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024 What’s more, Musk’s apparent olive branch is a marked departure from his views on the Soros family so far. Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024 Miss Quad is full of surprises while extending birthday party invitations and olive branches to the ladies after a rollercoaster friendship journey. Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Rarely, if ever, at Trump's events does the candidate or any of the other speakers offer an olive branch to Democrats or people who voted for in 2020. David Faris, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for olive branch 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of olive branch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near olive branch

Cite this Entry

“Olive branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olive%20branch. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

olive branch

noun
1
: a branch of the olive tree especially when used as a symbol of peace
2
: something meant to show intentions of peace or goodwill
made a call to his former friend as an olive branch

More from Merriam-Webster on olive branch

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