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

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

Records from the weeks leading up to the day Méndez executed the agreement show a steady stream of text communications between the city attorney and lobbyist Melissa Tapanes, who represented developer Michael Stern. —Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

The project, the judge found, breaches the long-standing agreement as the Cardinals and Tourism Authority never permitted Glendale to make any changes to the site, referred to as the Black Lot. —Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

In the letter, Cotten said that Gutierrez Reed sought to have that provision removed from the agreement. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

Separately, Microsoft Gaming and NetEase have also entered into an agreement to explore bringing new titles by the Chinese company to Xbox consoles, according to the statement Wednesday. —Diksha Madhok, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

Typically, a state visit might see a dozen or so such agreements. —Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 10 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