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

Fabricating standardized modules The contract builds on a preliminary pact agreed between the two firms in August 2025. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

The pact is expected to be signed at the ASEAN Summit this November, when leaders from the group’s 11 member states will converge in Manila. — Jon M. Huntsman, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026

Alarmed at the unexpected setback, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who last year agreed a defense pact with Washington, personallyrequested US military intervention but was rebuffed, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

As evidence of the no-nonsense pact that has kept their friendship healthy and strong, Sheindlin offered up a comment Jackson once directed at her that might have sent someone else running for the door. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 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"