negotiation

noun

ne·​go·​ti·​a·​tion ni-ˌgō-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce negotiation (audio)
nonstandard
-sē- How to pronounce negotiation (audio)
: the action or process of negotiating or being negotiated
often used in plural
Negotiations between the two governments have failed to produce an agreement.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Netflix and Comcast are themselves in advanced negotiations for their own pacts. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 The shutdown, entering its 24th day, has dragged on for long enough that lawmakers are looking for options for a longer, temporary funding bill to complete negotiations on full-year funding for government agencies. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 After kidnapping Michelle, negotiations take place between the three characters, with Teddy and Don changing from their silver bodysuits to business suits complete with ties and blazers, a significant choice reflecting the characters’ objectives. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025 Some respite may be on the horizon, however, after top US and Chinese trade officials held talks over the weekend and pledged to resume negotiations to lower tensions in their trade war as early as this week. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for negotiation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of negotiation was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Negotiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negotiation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on negotiation

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