armistice
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of armistice
First recorded in 1670–80; from French, from Medieval Latin armistitium, equivalent to Latin armi- (combining form of arma “weapons, arms, instruments of war”) + -stitium “a stopping” ( stit- being a variant stem of sistere “to stop,” and modeled on Latin solstitium “solstice”) + -ium neuter of -ius adjective and noun suffix; see origin at arm 2, solstice, stand, -ium
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Explanation
When two sides of a war need a break from killing each other, they agree to an armistice, a temporary battle timeout. An armistice isn’t permanent, but it’s usually a sign that both sides want to give peace a chance. War is exhausting, and sometimes you need an armistice to catch your breath and figure out a more peaceful way to live. The word has two Greek roots: arma which means “weapons,” and stitium which means “stoppage.” When you’re ready to stop using your weapons, it’s time to propose an armistice. Although the word looks like a mouthful, it’s easy to pronounce if you remember that it’s an arm with two rhymes: ARM-iss-tiss.
Vocabulary lists containing armistice
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty in 1953, meaning North and South Korea remain technically at war.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
De Gaulle, on the other hand, was a mere brigadier and junior minister who had fled his country after the French government announced in 1940 that it would seek an armistice with Germany.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
A United Nations bus came to transport returnees past the so-called Yellow Line, an armistice boundary created after the ceasefire that separates portions of Gaza controlled by Hamas and Israel.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army agreed to an armistice in October, after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army handed back once bitterly contested Lashio in April.
From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025
He was training cadets at a camp in North Wales when the armistice was announced.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
