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 of pact

• 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

The two Syrian officials said that a decision had already been made — but not publicly announced — for Syria to join the Mecca pact, while the regional official said talks were still ongoing. — ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026

The three members have since held emergency talks — Türkiye’s parliament ratified the pact on Thursday. — Damian Zane, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

In 2023, the Lakers signed Davis to a three-year extension, the richest NBA deal by average annual value at the time, with the $175 million pact kicking off last season. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2026

The pair have now unveiled their first slate to emerge from that pact including a series adaptation of Danielle Steel’s book The Whittiers and a comedy series with The Office’s Angela Kinsey. — Peter White, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

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"