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.
On the second day of mediation, the firms engage in negotiations. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 The two countries have been mired in deadlocked trade negotiations, have sparred over the US threatening sanctions over India’s purchase of oil from Russia, and are now at loggerheads over immigration. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026 The current contract allows the league to reopen negotiations because of the ownership change. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Since negotiations began in July, the Hialeah Fire Department has lost five firefighters, including a paramedic/hazardous material technician trained to respond to incidents involving dangerous chemicals. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on negotiation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about negotiation

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