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

Your credits are here, and your treaties are too, But follow the rules, or audits ensue. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

This treaty ended The War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. —William Lambers, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024

The Potawatomi Tribe was among several who, through government treaties, had been forced to relocate west of the Mississippi River and ceded vast amounts of their land in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio after President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024

What's New The United States and its security treaty ally Japan conducted an aerial military exercise over the Western Pacific Ocean on Monday, which mobilized an American strategic bomber. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 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