peace

[pees]

noun

1. the nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.

2. Often Peace an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism.

   the Peace of Ryswick.

   Synonyms: accord, pact, truce, armistice

3. a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations.

   Try to live in peace with your neighbors.

   Synonyms: amity, concord, rapport

4. the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security.

   He was arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.

5. cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.

6. freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity.

   Has therapy helped you find the peace you’ve been looking for?

   Synonyms: quiet, calm
   Antonyms: disquiet, anxiety, agitation

7. a state of tranquility or serenity.

   May he rest in peace.

8. a state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquility.

   the peace of a mountain resort.

9. silence; stillness.

   The cawing of a crow broke the afternoon's peace.

10. Peace, a comedy (421 b.c.) by Aristophanes.

interjection

1. (used to express greeting or farewell or to request quietness or silence.)

verb (used without object)

peaced, peacing 

1. Obsolete.,  to be or become silent.

peace

/ piːs /

noun

1. 1. the state existing during the absence of war

   2. ( as modifier )

      peace negotiations

2. (modifier) denoting a person or thing symbolizing support for international peace

   peace women

3. (often capital) a treaty marking the end of a war

4. a state of harmony between people or groups; freedom from strife

5. law and order within a state; absence of violence or other disturbance

   a breach of the peace

6. absence of mental anxiety (often in the phrase peace of mind )

7. a state of stillness, silence, or serenity

8. 1. in a state of harmony or friendship

   2. in a state of serenity

   3. dead

      the old lady is at peace now

9. to keep silent

10. to maintain or refrain from disturbing law and order

11. to become reconciled with

12. to bring hostilities to an end

verb

1. obsolete,  (intr) to be or become silent or still

Other Word Forms

• peaceless adjective
• peacelessness noun
• peacelike adjective
• nonpeace noun
• self-peace noun
• semipeace noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of peace¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English pes, pese, pece, from Anglo-French pe(e)s, pes and Old French pais, paix, pes, from Latin pāc-, stem of pax “peace, peace treaty, amity”; pact

Word History and Origins

Origin of peace¹

C12: from Old French pais, from Latin pāx

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make one's peace with, to become reconciled with.

   He repaired the fence he had broken and made his peace with the neighbor on whose property it stood.

2. at peace,

   1. in a state or relationship of nonbelligerence or concord; not at war.

   2. untroubled; tranquil; content.

   3. deceased.

3. keep the peace, to maintain order; cause to refrain from creating a disturbance.

   Several officers of the law were on hand to keep the peace.

4. make peace, to ask for or arrange a cessation of hostilities or antagonism.

5. hold / keep one's peace, to refrain from or cease speaking; keep silent.

   Can you please just hold your peace until I'm done talking?

More idioms and phrases containing peace

• at peace
• hold one's tongue (peace)
• keep the peace
• leave someone in peace
• make one's peace with
• make peace

Example Sentences

Stock futures traded slightly to the upside Thursday as moves toward peace in the Middle East removed a key geopolitical worry for markets, and PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines kicked off third-quarter earnings season.

Read more on Barron's

It is the first phase of a 20-point peace plan that could lead to an end to the war - though the latter phases still need to be negotiated.

Read more on BBC

On social media, he employed his usual hyperbole, calling it a "historic and unprecedented event" and the "first steps toward a strong, durable and everlasting peace".

Read more on BBC

World leaders have welcomed the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace plan.

Read more on BBC

Across the walls are framed pictures of every peace laureate, with a space at the end for a photograph of this year's winner.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accord 
• friendship 
• love 
• reconciliation 
• truce 
• unity