treaty

trea·ty

noun \ˈtrē-tē\

plural treaties

Definition of TREATY

1

: the action of treating and especially of negotiating

2

a : an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation: (1) : private treaty (2) : 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

b : a document in which such a contract is set down

Examples of TREATY

1. a nuclear test ban treaty
2. <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>

Origin of TREATY

Middle English trete, from Anglo-French treté, from past participle of treter to discuss, treat

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TREATY

Synonyms

accord, alliance, compact, convention, covenant, pact

Related Words

entente, entente cordiale; bargain, bond, charter, concord, contract, deal, settlement, understanding; projet

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with TREATY

meaty, peaty, sleety, sweetie, ziti

treaty

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Contract or other written instrument binding two or more states under international law. The term is generally reserved for the more important international agreements, usually requiring, in addition to the signatures of authorized persons, ratification by the governments involved. A treaty may be bilateral or multilateral; it usually contains a preamble, an enumeration of the issues agreed on, and clauses that discuss its ratification procedures, lifespan, and terms for termination. Treaties may be political, commercial, constitutional, or administrative, or they may relate to criminal and civil justice or codify international law.