negotiate

verb

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ne·go·ti·ate | \ ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌāt

, nonstandard -sē-

negotiated; negotiating

Definition of negotiate

intransitive verb

: to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter Teachers are negotiating for higher salaries.

transitive verb

1a : to deal with (some matter or affair that requires ability for its successful handling) : manage negotiated his business deals with remarkable skill

b : to arrange for or bring about through conference, discussion, and compromise negotiate a treaty

2a : to transfer (something, such as a bill of exchange) to another by delivery or endorsement (see endorse sense 1d)

b : to convert into cash or the equivalent value negotiate a check

3a : to successfully travel along or over negotiate a turn

b : complete, accomplish negotiate the trip in two hours

Other Words from negotiate Synonyms The Controversial History of Negotiate More Example Sentences Learn More About negotiate

Other Words from negotiate

negotiator \ ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌā-tər

, nonstandard -sē- \ noun

negotiatory \ ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-ˌtȯr-ē

, nonstandard -sē-

\ adjective

Examples of negotiate in a Sentence

The customer wanted to negotiate over the price. She has good negotiating skills. We negotiated a fair price. The driver carefully negotiated the winding road.

Recent Examples on the Web The White House must now negotiate bringing the WNBA star home. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2022 James, who turns 38 in December, can negotiate an extension through the end of next June, providing a long runway before any decision needs to be made. — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Medicare will also be able to directly negotiate prices with drug companies, reducing costs. — CBS News, 31 July 2022 New Jersey Atlantic City: Officials from the Golden Nugget will negotiate Thursday with Atlantic City’s main casino workers union on a new contract that would guarantee the seaside gambling resort labor peace for four years. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 The proposal allows Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drug prices, for instance, potentially lowering drug costs for seniors. — Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2022 In an exclusive clip from Sunday's episode, the soon-to-be newlyweds negotiate the terms of their prenup just days before their wedding, as Shaeeda voices her desire to have children — and to have it in writing. — Alexis Jones, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 Since the app cannot yet process payments, drivers negotiate prices and build relationships face to face with their customers. — Tommy O'callaghan, CNN, 20 July 2022 The company and union, Starbucks Workers United, now must negotiate a contract that could take a few years. — Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'negotiate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for negotiate

borrowed from Latin negōtiātus, past participle of negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal," derivative of negōtium "work, business, difficulty, annoyance," from nec "not" + ōtium "free time, leisure, tranquility," of obscure origin — more at neglect entry 1

Note: The sense "to confer in order to arrive at a settlement" is probably based on Middle French negocier or Italian negoziare, which had developed this sense, not belonging to the Latin source, by the mid-16th century.