1. A formal agreement, such as one between nations; a treaty.
2. A compact; a bargain.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pactum, from neuter sing. past participle of pacīscī, to agree.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.