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

Spain and China plan to sign an investment agreement during the three-day visit that begins Saturday, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private negotiations. —Daniel Basteiro, Bloomberg, 10 Apr. 2026

While negotiations and legal frameworks are being developed in Caracas, the actual mines remain controlled by armed groups with their own governance systems. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Looking back on his 27 years with the bank, Gentry said the timing, loopholes, tax strategies and negotiations that gave the business its acquisitive edge were not because of dumb luck. —Chase Jordan april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

After nearly three hours of negotiations, Antioch police arrested an armed man who had barricaded himself inside a home Wednesday. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 9 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

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration