peace
Americannoun
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the nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
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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.
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a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations.
Try to live in peace with your neighbors.
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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.
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cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
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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?
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a state of tranquility or serenity.
May he rest in peace.
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a state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquility.
the peace of a mountain resort.
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The cawing of a crow broke the afternoon's peace.
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Peace, a comedy (421 b.c.) by Aristophanes.
interjection
verb (used without object)
idioms
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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.
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at peace,
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in a state or relationship of nonbelligerence or concord; not at war.
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untroubled; tranquil; content.
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deceased.
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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.
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make peace, to ask for or arrange a cessation of hostilities or antagonism.
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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?
noun
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the state existing during the absence of war
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( as modifier )
peace negotiations
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(modifier) denoting a person or thing symbolizing support for international peace
peace women
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(often capital) a treaty marking the end of a war
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a state of harmony between people or groups; freedom from strife
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law and order within a state; absence of violence or other disturbance
a breach of the peace
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absence of mental anxiety (often in the phrase peace of mind )
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a state of stillness, silence, or serenity
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in a state of harmony or friendship
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in a state of serenity
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dead
the old lady is at peace now
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to keep silent
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to maintain or refrain from disturbing law and order
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to become reconciled with
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to bring hostilities to an end
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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nonpeacenoun
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peacelessnessnoun
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self-peacenoun
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semipeacenoun
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peacelessadjective
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peacelikeadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of peace
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”; see origin at pact
Explanation
Peace is a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there’s no fighting or war, everything coexisting in perfect harmony and freedom. In our war-torn world, it seems like there’s not nearly enough peace. However peace can be big and small, seen in entire countries or brief moments. After a war, two countries may sign a peace treaty, agreeing to not fight anymore. Sweden has avoided war since 1814, and enjoys the peace that the lack of conflict brings. When you feel at peace with yourself, you are content to be the person you are, flaws and everything.
Vocabulary lists containing peace
"Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." and "I Have a Dream"
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"Speeches on the Little Rock Nine"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Musa's family said he died "in a state of ease and peace" at the Royal London Hospital on Tuesday evening.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
The latest developments highlight the fragility of any efforts to find a lasting peace, even though US President Donald Trump this week said there was a "good chance" of a deal.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
Trump is optimistic that a peace deal can be reached, the official said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
“We also spoke about diplomacy,” Zelensky said in an apparent reference to Trump’s interest in helping Ukraine and Russia reach a peace deal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Each day, Father Monaghan finds some modicum of peace in nature: the singing of morning birds, the distant crowing of roosters, the sun shining through mango trees.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
We went to a big studio launch party and, as usual, when offered the possibility of something newer and more interesting than me, he peaced out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2025
Instead of defending himself, as he claimed he dearly wished to do, Paxton has peaced out to get pricey massages at a local spa.
From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2023
Listeners, like me, who were Elliott’s age when “E.T.” dramatically peaced out into the clouds, shed some leftover tears at the theme to its end credits.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 24, 2022
In one cutscene, Jack, the main character, peaced out after a boss fight in hilarious fashion.
From The Verge ● Oct. 4, 2021
Suddenly is the soul oned to God, when it is truly peaced in itself; for in Him is found no wrath.
From Christian Mysticism by Inge, William Ralph
I’m peacing out on that, and we’re done.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2025
As for all those business leaders supposedly peacing out, well, it's important to read the fine print.
From Salon ● Jan. 28, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
