pact

[pakt]

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.

pact

/ pækt /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pact¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pact¹

C15: from Old French pacte, from Latin pactum, from pacīscī to agree

Example Sentences

The greatest problem with this nefarious pact is that much of it sounds on the surface to be reasonable, if not desirable.

From Los Angeles Times

The previous pact expired earlier this week, but both companies agreed to keep talking.

From Los Angeles Times

Each school would have to commission an annual poll of students and faculty to evaluate the campuses’ adherence to the pact.

From Los Angeles Times

She added that she had "had enough of 26 years of decline in Wales under a Labour and Plaid Cymru pact".

From BBC

Rather than negotiating to extend that pact, Pitchford and his team MCE have been working on plans for a dramatic reorganization.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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