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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In what may have been a bit of an olive branch, King Frederik recently presented his nephews Count Nikolai and Count Felix with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog. Janine Henni, People.com, 6 June 2025 In the immediate aftermath, McGee and LaRoche — having pulled off a successful ruse, complete with a bulletproof vest gifted to LaRoche by Vance — seemed to extend olive branches to one another. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 14 Apr. 2025 Her presence at various London TV Screenings events, cheerfully networking with senior execs and marketing bosses, was a clear olive branch to a group of distribution behemoths who, in honesty, would probably prefer MIP London didn’t exist. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Maeve extends an olive branch in this week's episode of MobLand, which arrives on Paramount+ this Sunday, May 18. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for olive branch

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

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Cite this Entry

“Olive branch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olive%20branch. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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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