agreement

noun

agree·​ment ə-ˈgrē-mənt 

1

a

: harmony of opinion, action, or character : concord

There is widespread agreement on this issue.

b

: the act or fact of agreeing

She nodded her head in agreement.

2

a

: an arrangement as to a course of action

reached an agreement as to how to achieve their goal

b

: compact, treaty

a trade agreement

3

a

: a contract duly executed (see execute sense transitive 2) and legally binding

b

: the language or instrument (see instrument entry 1 sense 5) embodying such a contract

Synonyms

• accord
• concurrence
• concurrency
• consensus
• unanimity
• unison

Examples of agreement in a Sentence

Any changes to the plan require the agreement of everyone involved.

There is wide agreement on this issue.

They have been unable to reach agreement about how to achieve reform.

I thought we had an agreement.

Their agreement expires next year.

He has to return the property under the terms of an agreement he has with the original owner.

He signed an agreement to buy the property.

Recent Examples on the Web

The original cost was $14 million; an agreement divides the responsibility between the federal government (65%) and local agencies (35%). —Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024

The Federal Trade Commission narrowly voted Tuesday to ban nearly all noncompetes, employment agreements that typically prevent workers from joining competing businesses or launching ones of their own. —Andrea Hsu, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024

The change responds to concerns raised by federal and state antitrust regulators regarding the original agreement. —The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024

But the agreement approved by Tri-City’s board of directors on Oct. 26, 2023, was contingent upon UCSD performing due diligence to understand Tri-City’s financial and physical condition. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

It's also been the catalyst for actions including the creation of international climate agreements and environmental agencies. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024

These agreements must specify the compensation agents will receive, according to Redfin. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

If Glendale's numbers for these indices continue to far exceed We Energies' averages, the utility is obligated to address the issues, according to the agreement. —Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

Still, the agreement has kept the peace and allowed for economic cooperation on water, natural gas and electricity. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English agrement, borrowed from Anglo-French agreement, agrément, from agreer "to please, consent, agree" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing agreement

• confidentiality agreement
• executive agreement
• fair-trade agreement
• gentleman's agreement
• gentlemen's agreement
• in agreement
• nonbinding agreement
• nondisclosure agreement
• prenuptial agreement
• proffer agreement
• queen for a day agreement
• repurchase agreement
• safe third country agreement
• trade agreement

Kids Definition

agreement

noun

agree·​ment ə-ˈgrē-mənt 

1

a

: the act of agreeing

b

: harmony of opinion, action, or character : concord

all are in agreement

2

a

: an arrangement or understanding (as a contract or treaty) about action to be taken

b

: a written record of such an agreement

3

: the fact of agreeing grammatically

Legal Definition

agreement

noun

agree·​ment

1

a

: the act or fact of agreeing

by mutual agreement

b

: unity of opinion, understanding, or intent

especially : the mutual assent of contracting parties to the same terms

if they reach agreement

Note: Under common law, agreement is a necessary element of a valid contract. Under Uniform Commercial Code section 1-201(3), agreement is the bargain of the contracting parties as represented explicitly by their language or implicitly by other circumstances (as a course of dealing).

2

a

: an expression (as a settlement, covenant, or contract) of the intent or willingness of two or more parties to bind at least one to terms usually determined by negotiation

an agreement must be sufficiently definite before a court can enforce it

—J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo

b

: the language or instrument embodying such an expression