a ‧ gree ‧ ment S2 W1 /əˈɡriːmənt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ agreeable ≠ ↑ disagreeable , ↑ agreed ; verb : ↑ agree ≠ ↑ disagree ; noun : ↑ agreement ≠ ↑ disagreement ; adverb : ↑ agreeably ≠ ↑ disagreeably ]
1 . [countable] an arrangement or promise to do something, made by two or more people, companies, organizations etc
agreement that
They had made an agreement that they would share the profits equally.
agreement with
Haydon came to an agreement with his creditors.
agreement on
an agreement on arms reduction
under an agreement
Under the agreement, most agricultural prices will remain at the same level.
2 . [uncountable] when people have the same opinion as each other OPP disagreement
agreement that
There is general agreement that copyright is a good idea.
agreement on
There is widespread agreement on the need for prison reform.
be in agreement
A decision will not be made until everyone is in agreement.
It is easier for two parties to reach agreement than for three.
3 . [uncountable] when someone says yes to an idea, plan, suggestion etc
agreement to do something
Would their discussion result in his agreement to visit his stepmother?
agreement of
Such arrangements cannot be altered without the agreement of the bank.
4 . [countable] an official document that people sign to show that they have agreed to something:
Please read the agreement and sign it.
a hire purchase agreement
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make an agreement
We made an agreement not to tell anyone.
▪ sign an agreement
The two countries have signed an agreement on military co-operation.
▪ have an agreement
They have an agreement that all workers should be union members.
▪ reach/come to an agreement ( also conclude an agreement formal )
It took the two sides several weeks to reach an agreement.
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The two sides failed to come to an agreement.
▪ break/violate an agreement
The UN accused the country's leaders of breaking international agreements.
▪ keep/honour an agreement ( also stick to an agreement informal ) (=do what you have agreed)
It’s important to keep to your student loan agreement.
▪ go back on an agreement ( also renege on an agreement formal ) (=not do what you agreed to do)
Republican leaders accused Democrats of trying to renege on an agreement to have a House vote.
▪ be bound by an agreement (=have to obey the conditions of an official agreement)
India is bound by the agreements signed under the World Trade Organisation.
▪ negotiate an agreement (=discuss particular things in order to reach an agreement)
They have been trying to negotiate an agreement with a Chinese company.
▪ hammer out an agreement informal (=decide on an agreement after a lot of discussion and disagreement)
Traders are focused on Washington, where Republicans and Democrats are hammering out an agreement to balance the federal budget.
▪ draft an agreement (=write the conditions of an agreement, which may be changed)
The legal team will draft a second agreement incorporating these changes.
▪ broker an agreement (=arrange an agreement between two or more opposing groups)
The US has been trying to broker an agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
▪ enter into an agreement formal (=make an official agreement, which has legal responsibilities)
In 2006 the city authorities entered into an agreement with a private firm to operate the gardens.
▪ finalize an agreement (=agree the last part)
The developer hopes to finalise an agreement this week with the local authority.
▪ an agreement breaks down (=it stops working)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + agreement
▪ a written agreement
There is usually a written agreement between the borrower and the bank.
▪ a verbal agreement (=agreed in words, but not written down)
The doctor needs to have a verbal agreement from the patient.
▪ a trade agreement
The administration has signed a multi-billion dollar trade agreement with Colombia.
▪ a legal agreement
The golf club is also offering to enter into a legal agreement with local residents.
▪ a binding agreement (=an official agreement that must be obeyed)
Lawyers are in the process of drafting a legally binding agreement between both parties
▪ a formal/informal agreement
▪ a peace agreement (=a permanent agreement to stop fighting)
The five countries in the region signed a peace agreement.
▪ a ceasefire agreement (=a temporary agreement to stop fighting)
A ceasefire agreement was signed between the government and the rebels.
▪ an international agreement
an international agreement on combating climate change
▪ a multilateral agreement formal (=involving several countries or groups)
a multilateral nuclear arms agreement
▪ a bilateral agreement formal (=between two countries or groups)
a bilateral agreement between the UK and Korean governments
▪ a draft agreement (=one that is not yet in its finished form )
The government of Iraq refused to accept the wording of the draft UN agreement.
▪ a gentleman’s agreement (=an agreement that is not written down, and is based only on trust)
The candidates seemed to have a gentleman’s agreement not to criticize each other.
■ phrases
▪ the terms of an agreement (=the conditions that people agree on)
Under the terms of the agreement, the debt would be repaid over a 20-year period.
▪ a breach of an agreement (=an act of breaking an agreement)
Both sides were accusing each other of breaches of the agreement.
▪ be close to an agreement (=have almost reached an agreement)
Management and unions are close to an agreement about pay.