Alliance vs. Pact — What's the Difference?

An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called allies.

A pact, from Latin pactum ("something agreed upon"), is a formal agreement. In international relations, pacts are usually between two or more sovereign states.

A close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests or causes

A formal agreement, such as one between nations; a treaty.

A formal agreement establishing such an association, especially an international treaty of friendship.

An arrangement between people; a compact.

A connection based on kinship, marriage, or common interest; a bond or tie

An agreement; a compact; a covenant.

A long-term association of two or more animals of the same species, in which members cooperate for a purpose such as gaining access to mates or defending territory.

(international law) An agreement between two or more nations

Close similarity in nature or type; affinity

(military) An alliance or coalition.

The act of becoming allied or the condition of being allied

(intransitive) To form a pact; to agree formally.

(uncountable) The state of being allied.

An agreement; a league; a compact; a covenant.

(countable) The act of allying or uniting.

A written agreement between two states or sovereigns

(countable) A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.

(countable) Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

(with the definite article) The persons or parties allied.

(India) Marriage.

(obsolete) To connect or unite by alliance; to ally.

The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.

Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.

The persons or parties allied.

To connect by alliance; to ally.

The state of being allied or confederated

A connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest;

An organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty

A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim

The act of forming an alliance or confederation