pact

noun

: 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.

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
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.
As next week's deadline approaches, the Trump administration has touted new trade agreements with countries including China, the U.K. and Vietnam, while the status of other pacts remains under wraps. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 3 July 2025 The pact still requires approval by the FCC, headed by chairman Brendan Carr, who is an ally of Trump. Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 July 2025 That way, any pact Mann signs on the open market can be matched by the Hornets. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025 At the start of this year, the pact had 165 member states – although several major powers, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan and the United States, have never signed up to it. Kostya Gak, CNN Money, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pact

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pact was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pact. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pact

noun
: 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"

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