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

High-stakes negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, with both sides debating the waterway's reopening, but the only fact that matters to those waiting is that the Strait of Hormuz is still closed, and the threat of attack is likely to keep it that way. —Desiree Adib, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the country’s long-serving parliament speaker and former Revolutionary Guard commander, has led the first round of negotiations with the US in Islamabad and is now viewed as one of the main figures representing the Islamic Republic. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026

With each step forward in negotiations toward a deal, Braslavski said his condition gradually improved until he was released in October 2025 after 738 days in captivity. —Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Hundreds of thousands of Cuban Americans are pursuing compensation for homes, businesses and land confiscated by Castro’s government, complicating potential negotiations. —Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 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