negotiation

American  

[ni-goh-shee-ey-shuhn, -see-] / nɪˌgoʊ ʃiˈeɪ ʃən, -si- /

noun

negotiations plural

1. mutual discussion and arrangement of the terms of a transaction or agreement.

   the negotiation of a treaty.

2. the act or process of negotiating.

3. an instance or the result of negotiating.

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negotiation British  

/ nɪˌɡəʊʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. a discussion set up or intended to produce a settlement or agreement

2. the act or process of negotiating

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonnegotiation
  noun
• prenegotiation
  noun
• pronegotiation
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• negotiations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of negotiation

1570–80; < Latin negōtiātiōn- (stem of negōtiātiō ) a doing of business, equivalent to negōtiāt ( us ) ( see negotiate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A negotiation is a business-oriented conversation where two sides argue, discuss, and compromise to reach some agreement. When you hear the word negotiation, you know there are two sides and they're willing to talk to each other. In sports, the owners and the players union go through a negotiation to get a new contract. Parents and kids might have a negotiation over curfew time. Negotiation implies that both sides are willing to give something up and compromise. If your side won't give an inch, then you're not ready for negotiation.

Related Words

• agreement
• arbitration
• compromise
• conference
• consultation
• debate
• diplomacy
• discussion
• intervention
• mediation
• meeting
• transaction