/ piːs; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] a situation or a period of time in which there is no war or violence in a country or an area :
war and peace
peace talks / negotiations
The negotiators are trying to make peace between the warring factions.
A UN force has been sent to keep the peace (= to prevent people from fighting) .
After years of war, the people long for a lasting peace.
the Peace of Utrecht, 1713 (= the agreement ending the war)
The two communities live together in peace .
The countries have been at peace for more than a century.
the peace movement (= that tries to prevent war by protesting, persuading politicians, etc.)
2.
[ U ] the state of being calm or quiet :
She lay back and enjoyed the peace of the summer evening.
I would work better if I had some peace and quiet .
He just wants to be left in peace (= not to be disturbed) .
I need to check that she is all right, just for my own peace of mind (= so that I do not have to worry) .
He never felt really at peace with himself.
3.
[ U ] the state of living in friendship with sb without arguing :
They simply can't seem to live in peace with each other.
She felt at peace with the world.
—see also breach , Justice of the Peace
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IDIOMS
- hold your peace / tongue
- make (your) peace with sb
—more at wicked noun
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WHICH WORD
peace / peacefulness
The noun peace can be used to talk about a peaceful state or situation:
world peace
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I just need some peace and quiet.
Peacefulness is not a common word. It means 'the quality of being peaceful'.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French pais , from Latin pax , pac- peace.