Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The North Atlantic Treaty: The international treaty signed on April 4, 1949, in Washington, D.C., by twelve founding countries, which established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Its core principle is collective defense, as articulated in Article 5.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The signing of the North Atlantic Treaty was a pivotal moment in post-World War II history.
  • Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a signatory to the North Atlantic Treaty": to be one of the countries that formally signed and ratified the treaty.
  • Canada has been a signatory to the North Atlantic Treaty since its inception.

Variants and Related Words

• NATO (proper noun): The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the military alliance created by the treaty.
  • NATO's policies are based on the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Synonyms

• The Washington Treaty: An alternative name for the North Atlantic Treaty, referencing its signing location.

Related Phrases

• "to invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty": to formally call upon the collective defense clause of the treaty.
  • The alliance invoked Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty for the first time after the September 11 attacks.

Noun

1. the treaty signed in 1949 by 12 countries that established NATO