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

At the heart of the looming MLB labor negotiations stalemate that threatens the 2027 season is the idea of introducing a salary cap in baseball. —Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 27 May 2026

This will not play out within the SEC or Big Ten, unless both conferences agree to join negotiations, which would be a tall task. —Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

Trading on speculation With Iran negotiations being the key concern of markets at the moment, though without much information to act on, UBS’s Paul Donovan is warning investors against reacting to hints and rumors. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 May 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations to end the war would continue in Qatar despite the attacks. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 27 May 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