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

In a deal pegged in the $70M range, Amazon MGM Studios closed a pact this week for worldwide rights to the Miramax project, which will mark Smith’s first non-franchise studio movie in recent years. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026

Earlier this year, Netflix closed deals with Kang and Appelhans for the sequel as part of a new, multiyear writing and directing pact. —Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

The new schedule will be in place through the 2029-2030 season, part of a new four-year pact negotiated between the streamer and the NFL. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 May 2026

China has previously been cool to entering such a pact. —Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 13 May 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"