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.

---

negotiation British  

/ nɪˌɡəʊʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

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

2. the act or process of negotiating

---

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

Bringing any discrepancies — which are more common than you’d think — to the provider’s attention can be a good way to open the conversation for negotiation.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

Moreno, 80, has shown no public interest in a third negotiation with the city.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

"It's probably going to be a solution that involves a lot of layers and a lot of negotiation."

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace said Friday its members also voted to allow the union’s negotiation team to authorize a strike until its concerns are addressed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

When in English, ‘twas thus: “No, sir, this, this—Aye, you, this”—There was much negotiation, and a tune played or sung, taken up by others, learned by those newly hearing it.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Jolly wouldn’t say whether Kroenke or Moreno initiated the negotiations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

She said, however, that though her union remains committed to negotiations, they "must see urgent resolution which leads to tangible change in schools and classrooms, and we must see such change delivered now".

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

After several IMF visits to Senegal to examine the country's financial situation, the IMF and the government began negotiations in mid-October for a new aid programme.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

Justice Department abolished the gentleman’s agreement between colleges to end negotiations with prospective students over financial-aid packages after May 1.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

But then Hamilton had been guilty of similar indiscretions with pro-English advocates during the Jay’s Treaty negotiations.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

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