1
: a state of tranquility or quiet: such as
a
: freedom from civil disturbance
Peace and order were finally restored in the town.
b
: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom
a breach of the peace
2
: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
I have been in perfect peace and contentment—
J. H. Newman
J. H. Newman3
: harmony in personal relations
The sisters are at peace with each other.
4
a
: a state or period of mutual concord between governments
There was a peace of 50 years before war broke out again.
b
: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
offered the possibility of a negotiated peace—New York Times
New York Times5
—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
peaced; peacing; peaces
Synonyms
Examples of peace in a Sentence
Noun
After many years of war, people on both sides were longing for peace.
We said a prayer for world peace.
He tried to negotiate a peace between the warring countries.
There was a peace of 50 years before war broke out again.
Peace and order were finally restored in the town.
After years of therapy, he has finally achieved an inner peace.
He is searching for inner peace.
Insurance can provide you with peace of mind.
The problem was settled and his mind was at peace.
They are at peace with each other.
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Recent Examples on the WebMarta Balaga, Variety, 20 Sep. 2023
Whether this leads to a lasting peace is not yet clear.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 20 Sep. 2023
In standing by as Armenia was forced to engage in peace talks with a gun to its head, the U.S. appeared content with waiting until the Armenians of Karabakh were desperate enough to submit to Azerbaijan’s terms.
—Alex Galitsky, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told fellow world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday that Ukraine would not settle for any peace plan that did not include Russia’s full withdrawal from Ukrainian territory.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
Jones, who writes in gripping detail about her many experiences with loss and trauma, says she's finally had the time and resources to do the work to make peace with it all.
—Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
By 2009, intense conflict had subsided but peace was not in sight.
—Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2023
His sculpture of a white, chubby pigeon, standing proudly on a pedestal became an emblem of Colombia’s efforts to make peace with rebel groups and is currently placed in a prominent gallery inside the nation’s presidential palace.
—Manuel Rueda, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023
Remembering Amber, Melissa and Megan From left, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy CBS News
Investigators hope that the arrest can give victims' families a sense of peace.
—Morgan Canty, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2023
James Dobbins, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2015
Charity Lawson kicked off this week’s episode of The Bachelorette by apologizing for peacing out of the barbecue last week after learning that Brayden called her classless.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 11 July 2023
As many as 60 to 80 percent of milk, wheat, and egg allergies can peace out by puberty—a pattern that might also be related to the instability of the allergens involved.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2022
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Noun
Film, and all art, plays a big part in this peace work.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 20 Sep. 2023
Whether this leads to a lasting peace is not yet clear.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 20 Sep. 2023
In standing by as Armenia was forced to engage in peace talks with a gun to its head, the U.S. appeared content with waiting until the Armenians of Karabakh were desperate enough to submit to Azerbaijan’s terms.
—Alex Galitsky, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told fellow world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday that Ukraine would not settle for any peace plan that did not include Russia’s full withdrawal from Ukrainian territory.
—Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
Jones, who writes in gripping detail about her many experiences with loss and trauma, says she's finally had the time and resources to do the work to make peace with it all.
—Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
By 2009, intense conflict had subsided but peace was not in sight.
—Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2023
His sculpture of a white, chubby pigeon, standing proudly on a pedestal became an emblem of Colombia’s efforts to make peace with rebel groups and is currently placed in a prominent gallery inside the nation’s presidential palace.
—Manuel Rueda, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023
Remembering Amber, Melissa and Megan From left, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy CBS News
Investigators hope that the arrest can give victims' families a sense of peace.
—Morgan Canty, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2023
Verb
Peace talks, if not peace itself, may be close at hand in Afghanistan.
—James Dobbins, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2015
Charity Lawson kicked off this week’s episode of The Bachelorette by apologizing for peacing out of the barbecue last week after learning that Brayden called her classless.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 11 July 2023
As many as 60 to 80 percent of milk, wheat, and egg allergies can peace out by puberty—a pattern that might also be related to the instability of the allergens involved.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English pees, from Anglo-French pes, pees, from Latin pac-, pax; akin to Latin pacisci to agree — more at pact
First Known Use
Noun
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of peace was
in the 12th century
Phrases Containing peace
Dictionary Entries Near peace
Cite this Entry
“Peace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
peace
nounˈpēs
1
: a state of quiet
especially
: freedom from public disturbance or war
2
: freedom from upsetting thoughts or feelings
3
: harmony in personal relations
4
a
: a state or period of peace between governments
b
: an agreement to end a war
Legal Definition
peace
noun
: a state of tranquility or quiet: as
a
: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom
keeping the peace
b
: freedom from civil disturbance
More from Merriam-Webster on peace
Nglish: Translation of peace for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of peace for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peace
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