cooperation

Or co-op·er·a·tion

[koh-op-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit; joint action.

2. more or less active assistance from a person, organization, etc..

   We sought the cooperation of various civic leaders.

3. willingness to cooperate.

   to indicate cooperation.

4. Economics.,  the combination of persons for purposes of production, purchase, or distribution for their joint benefit.

   producers' cooperation; consumers' cooperation.

5. Sociology.,  activity shared for mutual benefit.

6. Ecology.,  mutually beneficial interaction among organisms living in a limited area.

cooperation

/ kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. joint operation or action

2. assistance or willingness to assist

3. economics the combination of consumers, workers, farmers, etc, in activities usually embracing production, distribution, or trade

4. ecology beneficial but inessential interaction between two species in a community

Other Word Forms

• cooperationist noun
• co-operationist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cooperation¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Middle French, from Late Latin cooperātiōn-, stem of cooperātiō; equivalent to cooperate + -ion

Example Sentences

"It is designed to convey a message that Saudi Arabia is diversifying its security partnership without jeopardising its defence cooperation with the US," Mr Aboudouh told the BBC.

From BBC

The San José double murder took place over three hours, with the tacit cooperation of a California governor, numerous state and city officials and various civic leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Keir countered by affirming that the UK had "a number of cooperation deals with other countries" in place and that the government are taking the issue "incredibly seriously".

From BBC

Canada and Mexico have agreed to deepen ties, vowing closer cooperation on trade and security, as both countries grapple with rising economic pressure from the US.

From BBC

To be fair, Democrats were seeking bipartisan cooperation because their voters demanded it.

From Salon

Related Words

• aid 
• assistance 
• collaboration 
• participation 
• partnership 
• service 
• unity