peacekeeper

noun

peace·​keep·​er ˈpēs-ˌkē-pər How to pronounce peacekeeper (audio)
plural peacekeepers
Synonyms of peacekeepernext
: someone or something (such as a country or organization) that works to maintain peace between hostile individuals, groups, etc.
… that we were the peacekeepers of the world. That we stepped in, when others couldn't manage to get along, and separated the combatants long enough that they could settle down and solve their differences.Todd Whitcombe, Prince George (British Columbia) Citizen, 18 Oct. 2010
… I tried to be the peacekeeper between you and dad …Heather Tempesta, Tampa Bay Times, 12 May 2013
especially : a member of an organized force sent to a region or country to maintain or promote peace : a member of a peacekeeping force
American peacekeepers are an essential part of the scaffolding … . The soldiers conduct de-mining operations, inspect weapons-storage sites and run a program to collect arms from civilians. Zoran Cirjakovic, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2001
Because of the paltry number of foreign peacekeepers … and Karzai's inability to extend his grip outside Kabul, most of Afghanistan is under the sway of truculent warlords who in many cases finance armed militias through a resurgent opium trade. Tim McGirk, Time, 8 Mar. 2004

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peacekeeper was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Peacekeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peacekeeper. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

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