armistice
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
Veterans Day Vocabulary
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November Words
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Southeast Asia - Introductory
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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.
Other countries have their own days of remembrance, such as Australia’s Anzac Day, the U.K.’s Remembrance Sunday, and France’s Armistice Day.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
"These, too, are violations of the Armistice Agreement," he said.
From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026
The size of the illiquid portfolio was one reason Armistice ran into trouble last year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025
Catherine, Princess of Wales is set to be among those attending services to mark Armistice Day on Tuesday.
From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025
After the Armistice he tried frantically to get home but some complication or misunderstanding sent him to Oxford instead.
From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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.
