Agreement
Agreement: A manifestation of mutual assent by two or more persons (Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 3). Under the Uniform Commercial Code, "agreement" means the bargain of the parties in fact, as found in their language or inferred from other circumstances such as course of performance, course of dealing or usage of trade (UCC § 1-201(b)(3)). Every contract is an agreement, but not every agreement is an enforceable contract.
What agreement means
Put simply, agreement is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where agreement comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if agreement appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read agreement in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Admit: to acknowledge that something is true, or to allow something in.
- Affiant: the person who makes and signs an affidavit, swearing or affirming that its contents are true.
- Affidavit: a written statement of facts sworn to before an officer authorized to administer oaths.
- Affirmative defense: a defense that defeats or reduces a claim even if the plaintiff's allegations are true, such as the statute of limitations.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.