# treaty

/ˈtɹiti/ (US) · /tɹˈiːti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/treaty
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. international agreement

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a formal agreement between countries, usually about peace, trade, or working together.

For teachers: a formal, legally binding agreement concluded by subjects of international law, such as states or international organizations.

- 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'.

### 2. negotiation process

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the act of discussing or negotiating to reach an agreement.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to make an agreement

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

to enter into a formal agreement with another group or country.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The two countries sign a peace treaty.
- The leaders met to negotiate a new trade treaty that would lower taxes on imported goods.
- The treaty, though signed with great ceremony, contained ambiguous clauses that later became the source of prolonged international dispute and legal challenges.

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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.