peace

1 of 2

noun

ˈpēs

Synonyms of peace next

: a state of tranquility or quiet: such as

: freedom from civil disturbance

Peace and order were finally restored in the town.

: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

a breach of the peace

: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

I have been in perfect peace and contentment—

J. H. Newman

: harmony in personal relations

The sisters are at peace with each other.

: a state or period of mutual concord between governments

There was a peace of 50 years before war broke out again.

: 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

—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

peace

2 of 2

verb

peaced; peacing; peaces

intransitive verb

obsolete

: to be, become, or keep silent or quiet

Phrases

at peace

: in a state of concord or tranquility

The problem was settled and his mind was at peace.

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Beathard died this week at 86.Associated Press Rest in peace, Bobby Beathard, the longtime scout and executive who died this past week at 86 from complications from Alzheimer’s. —

Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 In the end, the raiders fail to overtake the compound, and Bill and Frank are allowed to live out their lives in peace (by apocalypse standards). —

Nick Romano, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2023 The controversy has led to a larger and more complicated debate on the study of mummified remains and whether they should be kept in museums at all or simply left to rest in peace. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 Jan. 2023 The family has asked supporters to protest in peace. —

Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2023 Asked about those remarks, Peskov said Friday that the United States and its allies had no interest in peace. —

Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2023 And, of course, rest in peace to the Lizzie McGuire reboot, which was cancelled after Hilary and production disagreed on their ideas about adult Lizzie’s life. —

Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 24 Jan. 2023 This is unlikely to actually result in peace, meaning that the conflict is likely to be ongoing. —

Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2023 Families deserve to celebrate the holidays in peace — mass shootings and gun violence are a plague on our communities. —

Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2023

Verb

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Peace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace. Accessed 9 Jul. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

peace

noun

ˈpēs

: a state of quiet

especially : freedom from public disturbance or war

: freedom from upsetting thoughts or feelings

: harmony in personal relations

: a state or period of peace between governments

: an agreement to end a war

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pees "peace," from early French pes, pees (same meaning), from Latin pac-, pax "peace" — related to appease, pacify

Legal Definition

peace

noun

: a state of tranquility or quiet: as

: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

keeping the peace

: freedom from civil disturbance

Geographical Definition

Peace

geographical name

ˈpēs

river 1195 miles (1923 kilometers) long in western Canada flowing east and northeast in northern British Columbia and northern Alberta into the Slave River see finlay