treaty
noun
trea·ty
| \ ˈtrē-tē
\
\
plural treaties
Definition of treaty
1a
: 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
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Synonyms for treaty
Synonyms
accord, alliance, compact, convention, covenant, pact
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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
The triennial meetings of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international treaty that regulates the trade of wild plants and animals, are among the most significant wildlife conferences in the world. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Wildlife Trade Conference Imposes Near-Total Ban on Sending Wild African Elephants to Zoos," 30 Aug. 2019 International drug treaties technically permit medical cannabis. — The Economist, "A global revolution in attitudes towards cannabis is under way," 29 Aug. 2019 Whatever the reason, the decision to withhold flu shots denies human rights, defies international treaties and legal conventions, and is epidemiologically dangerous and dumb. — Wired, "Why Denying Migrants Flu Shots Is a Dangerous, Foolish Move," 28 Aug. 2019 Last year, North Korea joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty established by UNESCO in 1971, and put aside two important wetland areas for conservation. — Simon Denyer, Washington Post, "Wildlife thrives among the land mines along Korea’s DMZ. But for how long?," 27 Aug. 2019 Since 2011, manta rays have been protected in international waters by the Convention on Migratory Species, an international treaty that protects migrating wild animals. — National Geographic, "THE BEST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX," 26 Aug. 2019 Later, in 1944, an international treaty required 1.5 million acre-feet for Mexico. — Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, "West wrestles with Colorado River “grand bargain” as changing climate depletes water governed by 1922 compact," 25 Aug. 2019 In 1972, India ratified an international treaty barring the export or transfer of cultural property that lacked explicit government approval and formal documentation. — Tom Mashberg, New York Times, "The Met Reviews Items It Received From a Dealer, Now a Looting Suspect," 18 Aug. 2019 Pakistan said cluster munitions were fired in violation of international treaties and humanitarian law. — Washington Post, "Kashmir curfew partially eased for prayers amid lockdown," 10 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'treaty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for treaty
treaty
noun
English Language Learners Definition of treaty
: an official agreement that is made between two or more countries or groups
See the full definition for treaty in the English Language Learners Dictionary
treaty
noun
trea·ty
| \ ˈtrē-tē
\
\
plural treaties
Kids Definition of treaty
: an agreement between two or more states or sovereigns
a peace treaty
treaty
noun
trea·ty
plural treaties
Legal Definition of treaty
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
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