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
On the same day Taylor's reputation tour kicked off in Phoenix, Perry extended a literal olive branch to the singer, who, perhaps, wasn't (ahem) ready for it.
—
Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
There was significant local media attention given to President Xi’s meeting with US CEOs, his candor on the economy and opportunity for foreign investors/corporations, and an olive branch on mending US-China relations.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Vatican police estimate there were about 60,000 people in the crowd, many holding palms and olive branches during the service.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024
Moscow concert attack:Survivors describe nightmare of fear and death
The clerics, along with participants in a crowd estimated by Vatican police at about 60,000 people, held palm fronds and olive branches at the service.
—Philip Pullella, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Despite the olive branch, a top advertising source expressed caution, comparing Netflix’s strategic moves to letting a fox into the henhouse.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024
Six years after sending Swift a literal olive branch in 2018, Perry attended the Eras Tour in Sydney as a VIP guest.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2024
That year, Perry also sent Swift a literal olive branch.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024
The regulations are meant to be an olive branch that addresses the companies’ complaints that the law, known as the Online News Act, exposes them to unknown financial liabilities.
—Randy Thanthong-Knight, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2023
Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
There was significant local media attention given to President Xi’s meeting with US CEOs, his candor on the economy and opportunity for foreign investors/corporations, and an olive branch on mending US-China relations.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Vatican police estimate there were about 60,000 people in the crowd, many holding palms and olive branches during the service.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024
Moscow concert attack:Survivors describe nightmare of fear and death
The clerics, along with participants in a crowd estimated by Vatican police at about 60,000 people, held palm fronds and olive branches at the service.
—Philip Pullella, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Despite the olive branch, a top advertising source expressed caution, comparing Netflix’s strategic moves to letting a fox into the henhouse.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024
Six years after sending Swift a literal olive branch in 2018, Perry attended the Eras Tour in Sydney as a VIP guest.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2024
That year, Perry also sent Swift a literal olive branch.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024
The regulations are meant to be an olive branch that addresses the companies’ complaints that the law, known as the Online News Act, exposes them to unknown financial liabilities.
—Randy Thanthong-Knight, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'olive branch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
olive branch
noun1
: 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
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