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

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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