olive branch

American  

[ol-iv branch] / ˈɒl ɪv ˌbræntʃ /

noun

1. a branch of the olive tree as an emblem of peace.

   One of their national emblems is a white dove clutching the olive branch of peace.

2. any token of peace.

   The new prime minister has pursued a reconciliation strategy, extending an olive branch to dissidents and rebel groups.

   Still in a snit, she snubbed his olive branch a few days later by blocking his phone call.

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olive branch British  

noun

1. a branch of an olive tree used to symbolize peace

2. any offering of peace or conciliation

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olive branch Cultural  

1. The branch brought by a dove to Noah's ark signifying that the flood was receding.

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olive branch Idioms  

1. A symbol of peace, an offering of good will, as in They feuded for years, but finally the Hatfields came over bearing an olive branch. This term is alluded to in the Bible (Genesis 8:11), where the dove comes to Noah after the flood with an olive leaf in its mouth. [c. 1600]

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Discover More

An olive branch is now regarded as a sign of peace, as is the dove. (See hawks and doves.)

Etymology

Origin of olive branch

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

olive branch

Pope Leo extended an olive branch to them last October by celebrating mass in Latin at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

“Edelweiss,” mistaken at times for an actual Austrian folk song instead of an American creation, hasn’t always been a welcome olive branch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

Strangely, he also wanted the track to be an olive branch to Metallica.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026

And an olive branch came ahead of the meeting, when Colombia abruptly agreed to accept US deportation flights on Friday.

From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026

But I do know Dad is offering a major olive branch here, really trying to show me how bad he feels about Sunday.

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• overture