pact

American  

[pakt] / pækt /

noun

1. an agreement, covenant, or compact.

   We made a pact not to argue any more.

2. an agreement or treaty between two or more nations.

   a pact between Germany and Italy.

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pact British  

/ pækt /

noun

1. an agreement or compact between two or more parties, nations, etc, for mutual advantage

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Etymology

Origin of pact

1400–50; late Middle English pact(e) < Middle French < Latin pactum, noun use of neuter of past participle of pacīscī to make a bargain, contract

Example Sentences

When Hitler violated his nonaggression pact with Russia in June 1941, the U.S. and Britain agreed to supply tanks, trucks, munitions and foodstuffs to help the Soviets battle the Nazis.

From The Wall Street Journal

That pact said that Thailand would "promptly release" the captured Cambodian soldiers, calling them "prisoners of war".

From Barron's

Under the truce pact signed on Saturday, the Southeast Asian neighbours agreed to cease fire, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining efforts and combatting cybercrime.

From Barron's

The pact includes a mutual defence clause pledging immediate military assistance if either country faces armed aggression.

From Barron's

“This is all supposed to be ‘after death,’” he says of his pact with his people; he’s appalled that the Poitras-Obenhaus team knows as much as it does.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arrangement
• compact
• contract
• convention
• covenant
• deal
• protocol
• settlement
• transaction
• understanding