peace

UK: /ˈpiːs/ US: /pis/ ,(pēs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

peace /pis/   n. 

1. [uncountable] freedom from war;
   absence of fighting between nations.
2. a state of harmony between people:
   [uncountable] Why can't we just live in peace?
3. freedom from civil commotion;
   public order and security:
   [uncountable] The police keep the peace.
4. freedom from anxiety or annoyance:
   [uncountable] peace of mind.
5. a state of tranquillity or serenity:
   [uncountable] a feeling of peace after prayer.
6. silence;
   stillness:
   [uncountable] some peace and quiet in the countryside.
7. a treaty that ends a war or fighting:
   [countable] an honorable peace.

Idioms

8. Idioms at peace, [be + ~]
   • Idioms in a state of not fighting;
     not at war:
     a nation once again at peace.
   • Idioms untroubled;
     peaceful;
     tranquil.
   • Idioms having died;
     deceased.
9. Idioms hold or keep one's peace, to keep from, or stop, speaking;
   keep silent:
   He kept his peace and waited for me to speak first.
10. Idioms make one's peace with, [~ + object] to stop arguing with (someone):
    She had made her peace with him years ago.
11. Idioms make peace, to arrange an end of fighting or antagonism.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

peace  (pēs), n., interj., v., peaced, peac•ing. 
n. 

1. the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
2. (often cap.) an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism:
   the Peace of Ryswick.
3. a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, esp. in personal relations:
   Try to live in peace with your neighbors.
4. the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community;
   public order and security:
   He was arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.
5. cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
6. freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.;
   tranquillity;
   serenity.
7. a state of tranquillity or serenity:
   May he rest in peace.
8. a state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquillity:
   the peace of a mountain resort.
9. silence;
   stillness:
   The cawing of a crow broke the afternoon's peace.
10. Literature (cap., italics) a comedy (421b.c. ) by Aristophanes.
11. at peace:
    • Idioms in a state or relationship of nonbelligerence or concord;
      not at war.
    • Idioms untroubled;
      tranquil;
      content.
    • Idioms deceased.
12. Idioms hold or keep one's peace, to refrain from or cease speaking;
    keep silent:
    He told her to hold her peace until he had finished.
13. Idioms keep the peace, to maintain order;
    cause to refrain from creating a disturbance:
    Several officers of the law were on hand to keep the peace.
14. Idioms make one's peace with, to become reconciled with:
    He repaired the fence he had broken and made his peace with the neighbor on whose property it stood.
15. Idioms make peace, to ask for or arrange a cessation of hostilities or antagonism.

interj. 

16. (used to express greeting or farewell or to request quietness or silence).

v.i. 

17. [Obs.] to be or become silent.

• Latin pax (stem pāc-); akin to pact
• Old French, variant of pais
• Middle English pes 1125–75

peace′less, adj. 
peace′less•ness, n. 
peace′like′, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. armistice, truce, pact, accord.
• 3. rapport, concord, amity.
• 6. calm, quiet.

Antonyms

• 6. insecurity, disturbance.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

peace / piːs/ noun

1. the state existing during the absence of war
2. (as modifier): peace negotiations
3. (modifier) denoting a person or thing symbolizing support for international peace: peace women
4. (often capital) a treaty marking the end of a war
5. a state of harmony between people or groups; freedom from strife
6. law and order within a state; absence of violence or other disturbance: a breach of the peace
7. absence of mental anxiety (often in the phrase peace of mind)
8. a state of stillness, silence, or serenity
9. at peace ⇒ in a state of harmony or friendship
10. in a state of serenity
11. dead: the old lady is at peace now
12. hold one's peace, keep one's peace ⇒ to keep silent
13. keep the peace ⇒ to maintain or refrain from disturbing law and order

verb

1. (intransitive) to be or become silent or still

Etymology: 12th Century: from Old French pais, from Latin pāx