negotiation

noun

ne·​go·​ti·​a·​tion ni-ˌgō-shē-ˈā-shən 

nonstandard

-sē- 

: the action or process of negotiating or being negotiated

—often used in plural

Negotiations between the two governments have failed to produce an agreement.

Synonyms

• accommodation
• compromise
• concession
• give-and-take

Examples of negotiation in a Sentence

We need a negotiation between the townspeople and mayor over the site of the new library.

She is skilled at negotiation.

The college president was against any negotiation with the students.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sacramento Kings reached an agreement with coach Mike Brown late Friday night following weeks of negotiations. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 1 June 2024

Throughout negotiations with the school, Larive said, protesters had refused to compromise and made demands that contradicted the university‘s mission. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024

Both countries have applied for European Union membership and started negotiations with Brussels. —Graham Dunbar and Llazar Semini, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2024

But throughout the negotiations, Hamas has repeatedly proven to be unreliable -- shifting its demands and often backtracking right when all parties seemed to be on the cusp of a deal, according to sources familiar with the matter. —Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English negociacion "dealing with people," borrowed from Latin negōtiātiōn-, negōtiātiō "business, trade," from negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at negotiate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing negotiation

• in negotiation
• open to negotiation
• under negotiation