treaty

noun

trea·​ty ˈtrē-tē How to pronounce treaty (audio)
plural treaties
Synonyms of treaty
1
a
: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation:
(1)
: a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (such as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state
(2)
: private treaty
b
: a document in which such a contract is set down
2
: the action of treating and especially of negotiating

Synonyms of treaty

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Examples of treaty in a Sentence

a nuclear test ban treaty in accordance with a treaty between the United States and the tribes of the Pacific Northwest, commercial fishing of certain kinds of salmon is limited to Native Americans
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That help for Russia now comes with a mutual defense treaty inked two years ago with Vladimir Putin. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 Shuja could not bear seeing his son hurt and finally agreed to relinquish the diamond, but only if he was paid and guaranteed a treaty of friendship. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026 As South Korea and Japan contemplate acquiring the bomb, the START treaty has expired, and China won't negotiate on arms control. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2026 Fortunately, Gorbachev would drop his objections to SDI in time for both men to sign a landmark treaty in 1987 that abolished all intermediate range nuclear arms in Europe and made the entire world safer. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for treaty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trete, from Anglo-French treté, from past participle of treter to discuss, treat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of treaty was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing treaty

Rhymes for treaty

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Browse Nearby Words

treat someone like dirt
treaty
treaty Indian
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Treaty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treaty. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

treaty

noun
trea·​ty ˈtrēt-ē How to pronounce treaty (audio)
plural treaties
: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation
especially : one between two or more states or rulers

Legal Definition

treaty

noun
trea·​ty
plural treaties
1
: the action of treating and especially of negotiating
2
: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation: as
a
: private treaty
b
: a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state
the President…shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties—U.S. Constitution art. II
compare executive agreement
3
: a document embodying a negotiated agreement or contract
4
: an agreement or contract (as between companies) providing for treaty reinsurance
Etymology

Anglo-French treté, from Middle French traité, from Medieval Latin tractatus, from Latin, handling, treatment, from tractare to treat, handle

More from Merriam-Webster on treaty

Nglish: Translation of treaty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about treaty

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