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 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

James, 41, is still weighing his options in free agency three weeks after leaguewide negotiations were allowed to begin on June 30. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

The trump card in a negotiation, however, is being comfortable walking away. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 21 July 2026

The city credited her for playing a royal in strengthening intergovernmental partnerships, leading major negotiations, improving operational efficiencies and guiding Saratoga through complex policy, budget and emergency management initiatives. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 21 July 2026

Activists hope to leverage the upcoming Pesticide Registration Improvement Act expiration and Farm Bill negotiations to mandate clearer warnings and ensure justice for those harmed by pesticides. — Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 21 July 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