olive branch

noun

1
: a branch of the olive tree especially when used as a symbol of peace
2
: an offer or gesture of conciliation or goodwill

Examples of olive branch in a Sentence

The winner extended an olive branch to his opponent by calling him a great player.
Recent Examples on the Web Extend the olive branch of flexibility through telecommuting options or flexible working hours. Naz Beheshti, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Bey contacted Dave Chappelle in hopes of having the legendary comic serve as a mediator in extending the olive branch. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2024 The life-size portrait shows the talk show host standing in the prayer garden at her home in Montecito, California, wearing a resplendent purple dress and holding out an olive branch. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023 The olive branch design is modern, unique, and oh-so-elegant. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023 But representatives from some of the tech companies called to testify said their CEOs will offer olive branches to senators and the public in the form of legislative endorsements and policy assurances. Ben Goggin, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2024 Lala Kent starts to send an olive branch of sorts to Rachel in the premiere. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2024 On Sunday, even Mr. Trump offered an olive branch to his vanquished rival. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2024 The Obama administration believed that offering an olive branch and thawing relations would moderate the regime. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'olive branch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of olive branch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near olive branch

Cite this Entry

“Olive branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olive%20branch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

olive branch

noun
1
: a branch of the olive tree especially when used as a symbol of peace
2
: something meant to show intentions of peace or goodwill
made a call to his former friend as an olive branch

More from Merriam-Webster on olive branch

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