pact

noun

ˈpakt 

: compact entry 4

especially : an international treaty

Did you know?

Pact has "peace" at its root because a pact often ends a period of unfriendly relations. The word is generally used in the field of international relations, where diplomats may speak of an "arms pact", a "trade pact", or a "fishing-rights pact". But it may also be used for any solemn agreement or promise between two people; after all, whenever two parties shake hands on a deal, they're not about to go to war with each other.

Synonyms

• treaty

Examples of pact in a Sentence

We supported a peace pact between the two countries.

They made a pact to go to the gym together three times a week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the pomp, analysts are watching whether the trio may signal closer defence relations following a pact signed by Russia and North Korea in June 2024, and a similar alliance between Beijing and Pyongyang, an outcome that may alter the military calculus in the Asia-Pacific region. —Joe Cash, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

So despite industry complaints that surfaced during the coronavirus pandemic and the rise of a group of rival upstarts that have struck a series of measurement pacts with advertisers, media agencies and TV companies, Nielsen’s work remains the sector standard. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025

Earlier this week, the club announced the pact with KYPA 1230 AM to broadcast all of LAFC’s remaining matches during the 2025 season, beginning with Saturday’s clash against the local Southern California rival. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

The order also came two months after Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an historic mutual military assistance pact. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin pactum, from neuter of pactus, past participle of pacisci to agree, contract; akin to Old English fōn to seize, Latin pax peace, pangere to fix, fasten, Greek pēgnynai

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pact

• nonaggression pact/treaty
• nonaggression treaty/pact
• suicide pact

Rhymes for pact

• act
• backed
• blacked
• bract
• cracked
• fact
• hacked
• jacked
• lacked
• packed
• racked
• sacked

Kids Definition

pact

noun

ˈpakt 

: agreement sense 2

especially : a treaty between countries

Etymology

Middle English pact "agreement," from early French pact (same meaning), from Latin pactum (same meaning), derived from pacisci "to agree, contract"