# armistice

/ˈɑɹməstəs/ (US) · /ˈɑːmɪstɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/armistice
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. agreement to stop fighting

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal agreement between groups or countries to stop fighting a war.

For teachers: a formal agreement, typically between nations or military forces, to suspend active combat operations.

- The two countries finally signed an armistice after years of bitter conflict.
- The signing of the armistice brought an immediate end to the shelling, though the underlying territorial disputes remained unresolved for decades.

Usage: often used with the verbs 'sign', 'declare', or 'reach'

Teaching tip: While 'truce' and 'ceasefire' are similar, 'armistice' is more formal and usually implies a high-level political agreement.

### 2. the end of World War I

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the specific agreement that ended the fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918.

For teachers: the specific historical agreement signed between the Allies and Germany in 1918; often used as a proper noun.

- Every year, people gather to remember the soldiers who died before the Armistice was signed.
- The news of the Armistice reached the front lines within hours, sparking spontaneous celebrations among soldiers who had endured years of trench warfare.

Usage: often capitalized as 'the Armistice'

Teaching tip: In many English-speaking countries, this specific event is the reason for 'Remembrance Day' or 'Veterans Day'.

## Examples

- The two countries signed an armistice to stop the fighting.
- After years of trench warfare, the armistice was finally signed in a railway carriage, bringing the combat to a halt.
- While the armistice effectively ended the bloodshed on the front lines, it took several more months of intense diplomatic negotiation to produce a formal peace treaty that satisfied all parties.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.