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 ceasefire hinged on an end to Hezbollah attacks, but the group was not party to the talks and its leader rejected the pact. —Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 5 June 2026

Klebuc told Deadline the Canadian broadcaster is working on signing similar development agreements to the Point Grey pact, which will be unveiled later in the year. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 June 2026

That same month, Pakistan signed a defense pact with Saudi Arabia, committing thousands of Pakistani troops and warplanes to defend the kingdom. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 3 June 2026

In line with Petro’s progressive agenda, Cepeda has vowed to continue peace pact negotiations. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 June 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"