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

For the trade pact to deliver on its promise of jobs, resilience, and structural change, policy makers need to focus on functionality and implementation. —Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, said Trump's plans to impose tariffs on European nations go against the terms of the trade pact. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026

In your 7th House of Connections, chatty Mercury meets Pluto, turning a heart-to-heart into a clear pact about needs and how each of you handles conflict. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026

Some countries are forming new security pacts, as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan recently did. —Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 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"