negotiation

American  

[ni-goh-shee-ay-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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

negotiation negotiations

In his speech, Leo urged "courage in negotiation" and compromise to put an end to war on the continent, in an apparent reference to Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

Bonta abruptly canceled a negotiation session with Paramount in late August after potential deal terms leaked.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

The Clarity Act was under negotiation for more than a year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Congresswoman Young Kim, the chairwoman of the subcommittee, opened the hearing by warning Americans: "If you travel to China, Beijing may take you hostage as leverage in diplomatic negotiation."

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

“This is a negotiation and I’m playing hardball.”

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Verbal clashes between politicians, late-night negotiations, appeals for calm and a major security operation have all been in the mix.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Peace negotiations to bring an end to the war have also stalled.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

But speaking in Bangkok after informal closed-door talks with heads of delegations, Cordano said he was hopeful a deal could be clinched at the next official round of negotiations.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

As a realtor, she said she handles contracts, budgets, negotiations, legal requirements and competing interests — helpful skills in a trustee role.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

But despite the suspension of our official talks, with the approval of the leadership, I met privately with Mr. de Klerk in Cape Town in order to keep up the momentum for negotiations.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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