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

The proposal offered another potential compromise on control of the Donbas region, which has been a major sticking point in peace negotiations. —Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025

In 2024, negotiations for a new contract dragged on for months before the sides came to an agreement on terms. —Alex Valdes, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025

Patrollers plan to walk off the job indefinitely, said union president Graham Hoffman, or until the resort will resume negotiations in good faith. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025

Though the funding plan was announced just days before the final vote, both LeVota and Lucas referred Monday to years of ongoing negotiations with team representatives. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025

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

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration