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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
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.
With their slender and elongated, bluish-gray leaves, olive branches add an unexpected twist to holiday centerpieces and cut flower arrangements. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Dec. 2025 Markle kept it for months but when a group of Meghan's friends gave anonymous interviews to People in February 2019, one mentioned the letter and described it as an olive branch. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025 Republicans offered an olive branch to end the standoff by proposing to make payments into Americans’ health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts. Kim-Lien Nguyen, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025 However, after Cohen's apparent olive branch, the comic remained optimistic. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for olive branch

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

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Cite this Entry

“Olive branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olive%20branch. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

olive branch

noun
1
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on olive branch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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