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

Mark Bromley, defending, told magistrates that there had been a "huge degree of cooperation with education and welfare" by the parents.

From BBC

Leonberg and Fischer did not rush making “Good Boy,” taking the time – three years in fact – to ensure both Indy’s cooperation but also his happiness.

From Salon

Their power to keep a country functioning, he stresses, relies on the cooperation and obedience of those they govern.

From Salon

It is a rare instance of cooperation between Iran and the US, who do not have formal diplomatic ties.

From BBC

The three countries said they had "no choice" but to bring back the sweeping measures against Tehran "as a last resort" over its "continued nuclear escalation" and lack of cooperation.

From BBC

Related Words

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