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 European Commission has set an October deadline for progress in the negotiations, as France and Germany push for harsher measures. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The recent agreements bring a tense chapter of labor negotiations to a close. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Israelis have a chance to choose a new government more committed to negotiation. — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

The discrepancy between official accounts indicates clashing priorities that could hinder further negotiations between Washington and Seoul. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 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