negotiation

noun

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

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.
Build skills around negotiation, empathy, psychological safety, conflict management, and active listening. Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 And Bichette's negotiations have not leaked at all. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 The survey was done as Washington has engaged in negotiations with both Ukrainian and Russian officials to implement a 30-day ceasefire deal with the hopes of eventually ending the three-year war in Eastern Europe. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025 Miner was expelled just a day before contract negotiations with the university were set to begin. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Negotiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negotiation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on negotiation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!