pact

[ pakt ]

noun

1. an agreement, covenant, or compact:

   We made a pact not to argue any more.

2. an agreement or treaty between two or more nations:

   a pact between Germany and Italy.

pact

/ pækt /

noun

1. an agreement or compact between two or more parties, nations, etc, for mutual advantage

Word History and Origins

Origin of pact¹

1400–50; late Middle English pact(e) < Middle French < Latin pactum, noun use of neuter of past participle of pacīscī to make a bargain, contract

Word History and Origins

Origin of pact¹

C15: from Old French pacte, from Latin pactum, from pacīscī to agree

Example Sentences

The Koreas have also suspended a pact aimed at lowering military tensions between them, shortly after North Korea said that the South was now “enemy number one”.

From BBC

But throughout the war, both sides have taken care to avoid turning the conflict into a direct battle between Russia and NATO, whose 32 member nations, including the United States, have a mutual-defense pact.

From Los Angeles Times

But there is no doubt that the pair have stepped up cooperation after signing a security pact in June to help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.

From BBC

The UK already has a defence pact with France – the Lancaster House Treaty which was signed in 2010 by David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy – but this is the first with Germany.

From BBC

Last week, Putin introduced a bill to ratify the pact.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement
• compact
• contract
• convention
• covenant
• deal
• protocol
• settlement
• transaction
• understanding