ne ‧ go ‧ ti ‧ a ‧ tion S3 W2 /nɪˌɡəʊʃiˈeɪʃ ə n $ -ˌɡoʊ-/ BrE AmE noun [countable usually plural, uncountable]
official discussions between the representatives of opposing groups who are trying to reach an agreement, especially in business or politics
negotiation with
The negotiations with the company had reached a crucial stage.
negotiation between
This follows private negotiations between the landowner and the leisure centre.
negotiation on/over
He is trying to involve community leaders in negotiations on reform.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + negotiation
▪ long/lengthy
After lengthy negotiations, a compromise was finally reached.
▪ prolonged/protracted (=very long)
Despite protracted negotiations, the two sides have failed to reach agreement.
▪ difficult
The agreement is the result of two years of long and difficult negotiations.
▪ delicate (=in which it would be very easy to upset people and cause the negotiations to fail)
The company is about to start delicate negotiations with the union about next year's pay agreement.
▪ intense (=done with a lot of effort)
The agreement came after months of intense negotiations.
▪ peace/trade etc negotiations
A new round of global trade negotiations is due to start next week.
■ verbs
▪ enter into/open negotiations (=start negotiations)
They have entered into negotiations to acquire another company.
▪ conduct negotiations
The country should conduct direct negotiations with its neighbours.
▪ break off negotiations (=stop them)
The two companies have broken off negotiations on the deal.
▪ resume negotiations (=start them again)
The pressure is on Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations.
▪ negotiations start
Peace negotiations started last week.
▪ negotiations stall (=stop making progress)
The negotiations stalled over the question of arms reductions.
▪ negotiations break down (=stop because of disagreement)
The negotiations broke down over a dispute about working conditions.
■ phrases
▪ be under negotiation (=be being discussed)
The contract is currently under negotiation.
▪ be open to negotiation (=be able to be discussed)
The price is usually open to negotiation.
▪ be open to negotiation (=be willing to discuss something)
The president signalled that he is open to negotiations on the budget.
▪ be subject to negotiation (=be something that must be discussed)
The pay is subject to negotiation.
▪ a round of negotiations (=one part of a series of negotiations)
the next round of negotiations on trade barriers
▪ the initial/early/final stages of negotiation
The offer was in the final stages of negotiation.
▪ a breakdown in negotiations (=an occasion when negotiations cannot continue because of a disagreement)
There has been a breakdown in negotiations with the union.