peace

[ pees ]

noun

1. the nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
2. Often Peace. an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism:

   the Peace of Ryswick.

   Synonyms: accord, pact, truce, armistice

3. a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations:

   Try to live in peace with your neighbors.

   Synonyms: amity, concord, rapport

4. the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security:

   He was arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.

5. cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
6. freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity:

   Has therapy helped you find the peace you’ve been looking for?

   Synonyms: quiet, calm

   Antonyms: disquiet, anxiety, agitation

7. a state of tranquility or serenity:

   May he rest in peace.

8. a state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquility:

   the peace of a mountain resort.

9. silence; stillness:

   The cawing of a crow broke the afternoon's peace.

10. Peace, a comedy (421 b.c.) by Aristophanes.

interjection

1. (used to express greeting or farewell or to request quietness or silence.)

verb (used without object)

, peaced, peac·ing.

1. Obsolete. to be or become silent.

peace

/ piːs /

noun

1. 1. the state existing during the absence of war
   2. ( as modifier )

      peace negotiations

2. modifier denoting a person or thing symbolizing support for international peace

   peace women

3. often capital a treaty marking the end of a war
4. a state of harmony between people or groups; freedom from strife
5. law and order within a state; absence of violence or other disturbance

   a breach of the peace

6. absence of mental anxiety (often in the phrase peace of mind )
7. a state of stillness, silence, or serenity
8. at peace
   1. in a state of harmony or friendship
   2. in a state of serenity
   3. dead

      the old lady is at peace now

9. hold one's peace or keep one's peace
   to keep silent
10. keep the peace
    to maintain or refrain from disturbing law and order
11. make one's peace with
    to become reconciled with
12. make peace
    to bring hostilities to an end

verb

1. obsolete.
   intr to be or become silent or still

Other Words From

• peace·less adjective
• peace·less·ness noun
• peace·like adjective
• non·peace noun
• self-peace noun
• sem·i·peace noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of peace¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English pes, pese, pece, from Anglo-French pe(e)s, pes and Old French pais, paix, pes, from Latin pāc-, stem of pax “peace, peace treaty, amity”; pact

Word History and Origins

Origin of peace¹

C12: from Old French pais, from Latin pāx

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at peace,
   1. in a state or relationship of nonbelligerence or concord; not at war.
   2. untroubled; tranquil; content.
   3. deceased.
2. hold / keep one's peace, to refrain from or cease speaking; keep silent:

   Can you please just hold your peace until I'm done talking?

3. keep the peace, to maintain order; cause to refrain from creating a disturbance:

   Several officers of the law were on hand to keep the peace.

4. make one's peace with, to become reconciled with:

   He repaired the fence he had broken and made his peace with the neighbor on whose property it stood.

5. make peace, to ask for or arrange a cessation of hostilities or antagonism.

More idioms and phrases containing peace

In addition to the idiom beginning with peace , also see at peace ; hold one's tongue (peace) ; keep the peace ; leave someone in peace ; make one's peace with ; make peace .

Example Sentences

Domestically, the prime minister maintains the dubious line that he is the only man who can keep the still-fragile peace.

From The Daily Beast

They called for peace, reconciliation, and the safe return of Father Gregorio.

From The Daily Beast

The question is will we see regime changes in both Hamas and Israel that embrace a lasting peace?

From The Daily Beast

But without any peace talks on the horizon, everyone is now left to their own devices.

From The Daily Beast

At Christianity Today, Peter Chin claims Christians should preach peace instead of bogging down in the particulars of race.

From The Daily Beast

My son,” said Grabantak one evening to Chingatok, “if we are henceforth to live in peace, why not unite and become one nation?

From Project Gutenberg

Impressed by the lugubrious scene, Aguinaldo yielded, and the next day peace negotiations were opened.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all, he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst of peace and among a free people.

From Project Gutenberg

And it was no light task, then, for six hundred men to keep the peace on a thousand miles of frontier.

From Project Gutenberg

O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accord
• friendship
• love
• reconciliation
• truce
• unity