pacific

adjective

pa·​cif·​ic pə-ˈsi-fik How to pronounce pacific (audio)
1
a
: tending to lessen conflict : conciliatory
b
: rejecting the use of force as an instrument of policy
2
a
: having a soothing appearance or effect
mild pacific breezes
b
: mild of temper : peaceable
3
capitalized : of, relating to, bordering on, or situated near the Pacific Ocean
pacifically adverb

Examples of pacific in a Sentence

as a pacific gesture, we invited our feuding neighbors to our backyard barbecue a pacific nation that has managed to remain neutral even during times of world conflict
Recent Examples on the Web Reports of her arrival in Nevada surfaced around noon pacific time. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2024 But in the best, most generative rivalries, pacific emotions eventually prevail. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023 And then, of course, there was Allende’s pacific…revolution. Sam Needleman, The New York Review of Books, 2 Sep. 2023 The press censor—for so long a malevolent presence in the lives of even the most pacific journalists—was largely set aside. James Robins, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023 Partly for this reason—and because of his vulnerability in the face of sudden and drastic changes—there’s something innocently pacific and constructive about the furies that emerge from Tomas’s guileless candor and impulsive ardor. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2023 Kaoru Kobayashi plays the taciturn proprietor and chef with the pacific solidity of a 20th century movie hero. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2023 Evans said that an intense influx of pacific air from the west coast could be what is causing warmer temperatures across the country and in Milwaukee. Beck Andrew Salgado, Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2023 What looks like a cut-and-dried case leads her to ally with Román, born and raised in a seemingly pacific local community which hides a terrifying past of dark crimes and committed in 1999 by a sect which awaited an Apocalypse. John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Sep. 2022

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pacifique, from Latin pacificus, from pac-, pax peace + -i- + -ficus -fic — more at pact

First Known Use

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pacific was circa 1548

Dictionary Entries Near pacific

Cite this Entry

“Pacific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacific. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pacific

adjective
pa·​cif·​ic pə-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce pacific (audio)
1
: tending to lessen or avoid fights or disagreements
2
: having a peaceful nature
pacifically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pacific

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!