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

Turner, who had not been a key player in the negotiations and had made no secret of his disdain for that deal, was fired as an executive. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

For a fee, job seekers can get access to resume reviews, negotiation coaching, mentoring, mock interviews, exam drills and more. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Leaders in Pakistan, a key player in peace negotiations so far, also did not immediately comment. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026

The United States and Iran are getting closer to an agreement to end the war, a regional source familiar with negotiations told CNN on Wednesday. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 6 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