treaty

American  

[tree-tee] / ˈtri ti /

noun

plural

treaties

1. a formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations.

2. the formal document embodying such an international agreement.

3. any agreement or compact.

---

treaty British  

/ ˈtriːtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a formal agreement or contract between two or more states, such as an alliance or trade arrangement

   2. the document in which such a contract is written

2. any international agreement

3. any pact or agreement

4. an agreement between two parties concerning the purchase of property at a price privately agreed between them

5. archaic negotiation towards an agreement

6. 1. any of the formal agreements between Indian bands and the federal government by which the Indians surrender their land rights in return for various forms of aid

   2. ( as modifier )

      treaty Indians

      treaty money

7. an obsolete word for entreaty

---

Other Word Forms

• nontreaty noun
• treatyless adjective

Etymology

Origin of treaty

1350–1400; Middle English trete < Anglo-French < Latin tractātus tractate

Compare meaning

How does treaty compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• executive agreement vs. treaty
• armistice vs. treaty

Example Sentences

Debate that day led to the drawing up of the Inverness Formula which guided later discussions on the treaty creating the Irish Free State.

From BBC

Overall, trade-policy uncertainty has cast a pall over the Canadian economy, as companies curb investment plans and hiring until the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade treaty, or USMCA, is settled.

From The Wall Street Journal

Details of the jointly-managed border have been confirmed in a new treaty between the two sides unveiled on Thursday.

From BBC

Benjamin was also granted deportation protection under the Convention Against Torture, a legally binding international treaty that has been ratified by Washington.

From Barron's

As a result, the Constitution expressly pre-empts state interference with federal treaties, war making, trade and control over international affairs.

From The Wall Street Journal