pact

noun

: compact entry 4
especially : an international treaty

Did you know?

Pact has "peace" at its root because a pact often ends a period of unfriendly relations. The word is generally used in the field of international relations, where diplomats may speak of an "arms pact", a "trade pact", or a "fishing-rights pact". But it may also be used for any solemn agreement or promise between two people; after all, whenever two parties shake hands on a deal, they're not about to go to war with each other.

Examples of pact in a Sentence

We supported a peace pact between the two countries. They made a pact to go to the gym together three times a week.
Recent Examples on the Web Netflix has the option to extend the pact for an additional 10 years or to opt out after five years. Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 However, there’s a bit more of a let’s-keep-this-place-a-secret pact happening between locals and visitors. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 In light of that success, the multi-year first-look production deal, unveiled by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, extends and expands the pact between the studio and the John Wick director. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 As part of the pact, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion in fines and damages divided among the DOJ, the airline customers hobbled by the Max’s almost two-year grounding, and the victims’ families and heirs. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 But somehow, through some eldritch pact made with the gods of the collectible card game, Square Enix managed to snag the greatest minds in card game design and has kept them in a vault for the last 30 years working on Final Fantasy card minigames. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 26 Feb. 2024 But holding that pact together during the Ukraine war has required Biden to downplay the illiberal tendencies of a Polish government that—until its electoral defeat in October—was systematically eroding checks and balances. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 This role, safeguarding privacy, compliance, security, and transparency, underscores trust as a paramount corporate asset, shaping regulatory frameworks not just as legal necessities but as the bedrock for AI's societal pact. Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Terms and timing of talks sometimes shift on the way to final pacts. Josh Eidelson, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pact.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin pactum, from neuter of pactus, past participle of pacisci to agree, contract; akin to Old English fōn to seize, Latin pax peace, pangere to fix, fasten, Greek pēgnynai

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pact was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pact

Cite this Entry

“Pact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pact. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pact

noun
: agreement sense 2
especially : a treaty between countries
Etymology

Middle English pact "agreement," from early French pact (same meaning), from Latin pactum (same meaning), derived from pacisci "to agree, contract"

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