Jump To:

• pacific
  pacific

  adjective

  tending to make or preserve peace; conciliatory.
• Pacific
  Pacific

  noun

  short for Pacific Ocean

pacific

American  

[puh-sif-ik] / pəˈsɪf ɪk /

adjective

1. tending to make or preserve peace; conciliatory.

   pacific overtures.

   Synonyms:

   dovish

2. not warlike; peaceable; mild.

   a pacific disposition.

   Synonyms:

   humane, gentle

   Antonyms:

   antagonistic, quarrelsome, argumentative

3. at peace; peaceful.

   a pacific era in history.

   Synonyms:

   quiet

4. calm; tranquil.

   The Wabash is a pacific river.

5. Pacific,

   1. of or relating to the Pacific Ocean.

   2. of or relating to the region bordering on the Pacific Ocean.

      the Pacific states.

---

noun

1. the Pacific. Pacific Ocean.

2. Pacific, a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, six driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.

pacific ¹ British  

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

adjective

1. tending or conducive to peace; conciliatory

2. not aggressive; opposed to the use of force

3. free from conflict; peaceful

---

Pacific ² British  

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

noun

1. short for Pacific Ocean

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the Pacific Ocean or its islands

Usage

What does pacific mean? The adjective pacific means peaceful, calm, tranquil, or nonviolent. When capitalized, Pacific is best known as the name of the Pacific Ocean, often simply called the Pacific. The adjective pacific is not used nearly as often as some of its common synonyms, such as peaceful. Example: While their neighbors were known as warriors, the tribe was pacific, specializing in trade.

Other Word Forms

• nonpacific
  adjective
• unpacific
  adjective
• pacifically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of pacific

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French pacifique, from Latin pācificus, literally, “peacemaking,” equivalent to pāci- (combining form of pāx “peace”) + -ficus adjective suffix; see origin at peace, -fic

Explanation

The word pacific refers to people, actions, and ideas that are peaceful. Pacific actions promote and create peace. A pacifist is a person who opposes all wars, and that word can help you remember that pacific things are also peaceful. All pacific things are done in a peaceful way or help the cause of peace. Protesting a war is pacific. Signing a peace treaty is pacific. The philosophy of being pacific is called pacifism. Don't confuse pacific with a small "p" with Pacific with a big "P" — as in the Pacific Ocean.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pacific Pacific

However, the bank’s economists warned that in a more fractious and less pacific world, fresh conflicts that weaken economic growth are possible.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

Records show that medals were distributed to locals in more than 30 locations that Captain Cook and his crews visited across the pacific, including Tahiti, Easter Island and New Zealand.

From BBC ● Nov. 26, 2024

In 2019, Kennedy visited the pacific island of Samoa with CHD to campaign against a measles vaccine.

From Salon ● Nov. 6, 2024

“We know we are stronger when we combine our collective efforts and focus on pacific regionalism and the priorities of the blue pacific continent,” Hipkins said.

From Reuters ● Jun. 7, 2023

And if the approacher happened to have evil in his heart, that great voice would give him pause if he did not know Charley’s basically pacific and diplomatic nature.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

After setting out from a marina in the San Francisco Bay Area, they passed under the Golden Gate Bridge to the Pacific Ocean and across San Francisco Bay to Angel Island.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

In an El Niño year, the mass of warm water that normally collects in the western Pacific shifts east toward South America, with ocean temperatures indicating how strong an event will be.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The Long Beach Police Department responded around 12:35 a.m. to the intersection of East 7th Street and Pacific Coast Highway, according to a police department news release.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The species, native to Robinson Crusoe Island in the South Pacific, has been pushed to the brink by habitat loss, invasive species and repeated wildfires.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Anything that looked urgent “was telegraphed in cipher to the Pacific Coast. If not of immediate importance it was forwarded by air mail.”

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield