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.
France became the new American nation’s ally in 1778, when Louis XVI signed the first treaty recognizing the United States’ sovereignty. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 The filmmaker’s experience so far is that not everybody is aware of the treaty. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 The president leads the armed forces and can veto legislation, signs international treaties and appoints ambassadors. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Its treaties and agreements focus on preserving the peaceful, safe, and sustainable use of outer space, preventing collisions, managing space debris, and ensuring responsible operations. — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 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

See All Rhymes for treaty

Browse Nearby Words

treat someone like dirt
treaty
treaty Indian
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Cite this Entry

“Treaty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treaty. Accessed 28 Oct. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about treaty

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