treaty meaning and examples

2025-09-02

Meaning

A treaty is a formal and legally binding agreement between two or more countries, states, or groups, usually concerning peace, trade, alliances, or other political issues.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Noun (countable)

  • Usually used with an article (a treaty, the treaty).

  • Common structures:

    • sign a treaty
    • enter into a treaty
    • ratify a treaty
    • violate a treaty

Common Phrases

  • peace treaty – an agreement ending a war.
  • trade treaty – an agreement about trade rules between nations.
  • bilateral treaty – a treaty between two countries.
  • multilateral treaty – a treaty involving more than two countries.

Collocations

  • sign a treaty
  • negotiate a treaty
  • ratify a treaty
  • honor a treaty
  • break a treaty

Examples

  1. The two nations signed a peace treaty to end the conflict.
  2. Japan entered into a trade treaty with several European countries.
  3. The government refused to ratify the treaty.
  4. Violating an international treaty can lead to sanctions.
  5. A bilateral treaty was signed between the neighboring states.
  6. The United Nations helped mediate the treaty negotiations.
  7. The treaty set clear boundaries between the two countries.
  8. Leaders gathered in the capital to celebrate the historic treaty.
  • Agreement
  • Pact
  • Convention
  • Accord