Word
treaty
US/ˈtɹiti/
UK/tɹˈiːti/
Definitions
01international agreement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law Formal
n. a formal agreement between countries, usually about peace, trade, or working together.
n. a formal, legally binding agreement concluded by subjects of international law, such as states or international organizations.
日本語:条約※
“The two countries signed a peace treaty to end the long war.”
“The environmental treaty requires all signatory nations to reduce their carbon emissions by twenty percent over the next decade.”
Usage
Often used with verbs like 'sign', 'ratify', or 'violate'.
Synonyms
02negotiation process
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. the act of discussing or negotiating to reach an agreement.
n. the process of negotiation or discussion aimed at reaching a settlement or compact.
“The two kings were in treaty for many months before the borders were fixed.”
“The ambassadors remained in treaty for several weeks, though neither side was willing to concede on the matter of maritime borders.”
Teaching tip
This sense is archaic and mostly found in historical literature; modern speakers use 'negotiations' instead.
Synonyms
03to make an agreement
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Archaic
v. to enter into a formal agreement with another group or country.
v. to enter into or negotiate a formal treaty; used transitively to describe reaching a state through such an agreement.
“The tribes attempted to treaty with the settlers to protect their land.”
“The warring factions eventually sought to treaty themselves into a lasting alliance against the common enemy.”
Usage
Usually functions as an intransitive verb followed by 'with'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “treaty” in context.
Verb
01. abrogate a treaty
“The government decided to unilaterally abrogate the treaty, citing a change in national interests.”
verb + noun
02. adhere to a treaty
“All signatories are expected to strictly adhere to the treaty to ensure regional stability.”
verb + prep + noun
03. ratify a treaty
“The parliament voted overwhelmingly to ratify the treaty after months of negotiation.”
verb + noun
04. violate a treaty
“The neighboring country was accused of violating the peace treaty by deploying troops near the border.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. bilateral treaty
“The two nations signed a bilateral treaty to facilitate smoother trade relations.”
adj + noun
06. binding treaty
“The climate accord is a legally binding treaty that requires nations to reduce carbon emissions.”
adj + noun
07. landmark treaty
“Historians consider the 1945 agreement a landmark treaty that reshaped modern diplomacy.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. provisions of the treaty
“Under the provisions of the treaty, both parties agreed to a mutual reduction of nuclear arms.”
noun + of + noun
09. signatory to the treaty
“As a signatory to the treaty, the nation must submit annual reports on its human rights progress.”
noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Problems will inevitably emerge when a new treaty is put into practice.” “A new draft text of the treaty was published earlier this week, which Cordano described as “an informal, evolving reference document”.” Etymology
The noun is derived from Middle English trete, trety (“bargaining, negotiation; discussion; conference, meeting; entreaty, persuasion; agreement, contract, covenant; arrangement, settlement; agreement between two rulers, states, etc.; written work on a particular subject, treatise; subdivision of a written work, section”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman treté, traité, treaté, and Old French traité, traitié [and other forms] (modern French traité (“agreement between two rulers, states, etc.; treatise”)); traité or traitié is: * a noun use of the past participle of traiter (“to treat; to deal with, handle”), from Latin tractāre, the present active infinitive of tractō (“to drag, haul, tug; to handle, manage; to debate, discuss; to exercise, practise; to perform, transact”), from trahō (“to drag, pull”) + -tō (frequentative suffix); and * also from Latin tractātum (“written work on a particular subject, treatise”), from Latin tractātus (“dragged, hauled, tugged; handled, managed; exercised, practised; performed, transacted”), the perfect passive participle of tractō (see above). The verb is derived from the noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0