peacekeeping

American  

[pees-kee-ping] / ˈpisˌki pɪŋ /

noun

1. the maintenance of international peace and security by the deployment of military forces in a particular area.

   the United Nations' efforts toward peacekeeping.

2. an instance of this.

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adjective

1. for or pertaining to peacekeeping.

   peacekeeping forces.

peacekeeping British  

/ ˈpiːsˌkiːpɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the maintenance of peace, esp the prevention of further fighting between hostile forces in an area

   2. ( as modifier )

      a UN peacekeeping force

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Other Word Forms

• peacekeeper noun

Etymology

Origin of peacekeeping

First recorded in 1960–65; peace + keeping

Example Sentences

Despite a furious bout of calls to government officials, the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeeping troops, permission for the Red Cross to advance didn’t come.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Foreign Minister Sugiono, who like many Indonesians only has one name, told reporters on Saturday that Indonesia wanted a thorough UN investigation, and demanded better security guarantees for peacekeeping soldiers.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

A UN peacekeeping mission and French forces were deployed in 2013 to deal with the escalating insurgency - both have left since the junta took over.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

There, a refugee camp formed in 2014 during the nation’s civil war when thousands of people fled behind a United Nations peacekeeping mission to escape a massacre in the nearby town of Bentiu.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2025

Captain Smith tells them we are thankful for their message, and for their peacekeeping efforts.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone