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

The sources spoke on the conditions of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss private trade talks, negotiations and recruitment efforts. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Ahmed Abdullahi, chair of the Council of Governors, last week urged nurses to call off their strike and give the government time for negotiations. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Language in your next lease renewal covering accent walls, hardware swaps or pre-move-out inspections, a signal that landlords are formalizing what has been an informal negotiation. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

Both sides accused each other of torpedoing the negotiations by tacking on last-minute demands. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 8 Sep. 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