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

Compensation was a major factor during those negotiations, and employees received a 3% raise. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

To keep water flowing while negotiations continued, the district last year quadrupled its monthly base rate to $568. — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Bonta called it unenforceable and not credible, and Seilie feels that the inclusion of that promise from Ellison suggests Bonta wants Paramount-WBD to be legally committed to that output in some way and that negotiations are likely ongoing. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 July 2026

Many media companies have resisted, and that created a standoff in some upfront discussions, according to five executives familiar with current negotiations. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 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