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.

---

olive branch British  

noun

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

2. any offering of peace or conciliation

---

olive branch Cultural  

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

---

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]

---

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

This support from Buckingham Palace is likely to be seen as an olive branch, helping Prince Harry with his sports events for injured service men and women.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

Bonta abruptly canceled settlement talks last week, but extended an olive branch to Paramount by saying he would be willing to meet with the company to discuss ways to address his antitrust concerns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Devlet Bahceli, a close Erdogan ally and head of the hardline nationalist MHP whose unexpected olive branch to Ocalan kickstarted the process in October 2024, also hailed the vote.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

Meanwhile, the last few months have also seen Washington and Delhi offering an olive branch to each other.

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

We all liked the eagle, but he didn’t look too peaceful until someone suggested we put an olive branch, the symbol of peace, in its claws.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

Related Words

• overture