treaty
gb/tɹˈiti/ us/tɹˈiti/
B2
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
Formal agreement between nations
A written and official agreement made between two or more countries.
Usage pattern:
sign/ratify [a treaty]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'treaty' with 'treatment'. 'Treaty' is about agreements between countries, while 'treatment' is about how someone or something is dealt with.
Synonyms
agreement (A more general term; can refer to informal or domestic arrangements, not necessarily between countries.)
|
pact (Often used for a solemn or formal agreement, not always between nations.)
Antonyms
conflict (Represents the opposite state of peaceful agreement between parties.)
Collocations
sign a treaty
|ratify a treaty
|peace treaty
|trade treaty
|treaty negotiations
Themes
politics
|law
|international relations
Examples
- The two nations signed a treaty to end the war.
- Under the treaty, both countries agreed to reduce their nuclear weapons.
- The trade treaty will boost economic cooperation between the two regions.
- The peace treaty was celebrated as a historic achievement.
- Several countries refused to join the treaty due to security concerns.
Learner examples
- The two countries signed a treaty.
- The treaty ended the war.
- They made a trade treaty.
- The treaty is between two nations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
treaty
IPA
GB/tɹˈiti/
US/tɹˈiti/
Syllables & stress
treaty (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (treaty)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: treaty
- Plural: treaties, treaty
Word family
Expressions
break a treaty
1/bɹˈeɪk ə tɹˈiti/
fixed phrase
Fail to honor an agreement
To not do what an official agreement between countries says you must do.
Examples
- They accused the government of breaking the treaty.
- Breaking a treaty can lead to serious consequences.
peace treaty
1/pˈis tɹˈiti/
fixed phrase
Agreement ending a war
An official document in which countries agree to stop fighting and live in peace.
Examples
- The peace treaty was signed after months of negotiations.
- Both sides honored the peace treaty for over a decade.
treaty obligations
1/tɹˈiti ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
Duties from an international agreement
Rules or actions that a country must follow because of an agreement it signed with other countries.
Examples
- The country failed to meet its treaty obligations.
- Treaty obligations require both nations to share intelligence.