Words / B2

TREET-ee/ˈtriːti/

A treaty is a formal written agreement between countries: sign a treaty; a peace treaty; treaty obligations. Deal is informal; convention can be a treaty-like agreement. Do not call a shop contract a treaty. International law and history papers turn on treaties.

Meaning

A formal written agreement between countries.

Examples

• “The treaty set limits on fishing in shared waters.”
• “Parliament voted on the treaty before ratification.”

Good to know

sign / ratify / breach a treaty; a peace / trade treaty. Informal: deal. Related: convention. Not a private contract. International law register.

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