negotiation

noun

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

nonstandard

-sē- 

: the action or process of negotiating or being negotiated

—often plural

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

Synonyms of negotiation

• compromise
• consensus

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

Thompson serves as liaison counsel for the multidistrict litigation, while Hoyle was a member of the 3M settlement negotiation team. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

And, wanting to focus entirely on the job at hand during the postseason, Bates left negotiations up to his agent, Zack Scott. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Democrats could also look to expand Medicare drug negotiations and make more medications eligible for cheaper prices. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Nov. 2026

Likewise, as external trade tensions have risen, Beijing has managed these country-by-country disputes as diplomatic issues, through a mix of threats and negotiations, to preserve the bulk of China’s export markets. — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for negotiation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation