treaty

[tree-tee]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of treaty¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of treaty¹

C14: from Old French traité , from Medieval Latin tractātus treaty, from Latin: discussion, from tractāre to manage; see _treat

Example Sentences

They need to be addressed as a matter of law and because failure to comply with terms of the treaty undermines growth across the continent.

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Hence they created the Articles of Confederation by signing a treaty among themselves.

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He seems to find it dubious that the treaty that ceded this land will bring about lasting peace.

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And with many agencies, treaties, and protocols involved internationally, which organization should be responsible for oversight, and how should verification be handled?

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The Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty, says doubts about impartiality are grounds to disqualify a prosecutor.

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