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

• 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 meeting did not happen, though Biden was Vice President when then-President Barack Obama negotiated a pact that effectively sidelined Iran’s nuclear program until Trump withdrew from it in 2018. —Karl Vick, Time, 23 June 2025

Remember, Russia signed a non-aggression pact with Adolf Hitler in 1939 that started World War II, then invaded Poland from the east 16 days after Hitler invaded from the west. —Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2025

In May, Verizon signed a multiyear pact in the U.S. to become the official telecommunications partner of both the ATP and WTA. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025

The last pair of high-profile RFAs for the Ducks were Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, with both signing three-year pacts that were considered bridge deals. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 June 2025

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"