agreement

noun

agree·​ment ə-ˈgrē-mənt How to pronounce agreement (audio)
Synonyms of agreementnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But an Iran agreement that allows those barrels to come back into stockpiles, and actually refilling the inventories, are two separate things. David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 In order to make the trade, the Sabres first signed Tuch to an eight-year, $84 million contract, the person told the AP, and spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement and trade had not yet been announced. ABC News, 24 June 2026 Future projects will also depend on successful prototype testing, regulatory approvals, construction milestones, and definitive customer agreements before any revenue-generating power plants come online. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026 But Cain said the city’s agreement with Flock isn’t a sufficient protection for that data. Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for agreement

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of agreement was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Agreement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agreement. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

agreement

noun
agree·​ment ə-ˈgrē-mənt How to pronounce agreement (audio)
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 itJ. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
b
: the language or instrument embodying such an expression

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