negotiation

noun

ne·​go·​ti·​a·​tion ni-ˌgō-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce negotiation (audio)
nonstandard
-sē- How to pronounce negotiation (audio)
Synonyms of negotiationnext
: the action or process of negotiating or being negotiated
—often plural
Negotiations between the two governments have failed to produce an agreement.

Synonyms of negotiation

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Examples of negotiation in a Sentence

We need a negotiation between the townspeople and mayor over the site of the new library. She is skilled at negotiation. The college president was against any negotiation with the students.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike Moreno’s first attempt to sell the team in 2022, these negotiations did not play out publicly. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 But negotiations stopped short of limiting MIRVs or antisatellite weapons, and arms control efforts stalled in the early 1980s; after Reagan unveiled his Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983, the project became the chief obstacle to reviving them. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 Public schools in Seattle are scheduled to begin the academic year this week, but ongoing contract negotiations may delay the start of classes. — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Congressional leaders turned to a short-term funding patch after bipartisan negotiations in the Senate to appropriate money for the next full fiscal year broke down. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for negotiation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English negociacion "dealing with people," borrowed from Latin negōtiātiōn-, negōtiātiō "business, trade," from negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at negotiate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of negotiation was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing negotiation

Rhymes for negotiation

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Browse Nearby Words

negotiate
negotiation
negotiator
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Cite this Entry

“Negotiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negotiation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on negotiation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about negotiation

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