cooperation

noun

co·​op·​er·​a·​tion (ˌ)kō-ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the actions of someone who is being helpful by doing what is wanted or asked for : common effort

We are asking for your full cooperation.

2

: association of persons for common benefit

established trade and economic cooperations

cooperationist

(ˌ)kō-ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms

• affiliation
• alliance
• association
• collaboration
• confederation
• connection
• hookup
• liaison
• linkup
• partnership
• relation
• relationship
• tie-up
• union

Examples of cooperation in a Sentence

The report cited a lack of cooperation between state and local officials.

Thank you for your cooperation.

We are asking for your full cooperation.

Recent Examples on the Web

While there is no formal legal definition of sanctuary policies, the term generally refers to local jurisdictions limiting cooperation with federal immigration officers. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025

Sanctuary cities grew in popularity before Trump’s first term and colloquially refer to areas where officials limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. —Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2025

To be sure, Biden officials made other kinds of progress in Asia, strengthening the United States’ Indo-Pacific alliances and facilitating trilateral security cooperation with Japan and South Korea. —John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025

Conversely, when meddling politicians leave production and people alone, cooperation soars in concert with falling prices. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see cooperate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cooperation

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

Kids Definition

cooperation

noun

co·​op·​er·​a·​tion kō-ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: the act or process of cooperating