kōˌäpəˈrāshən, (ˈ) ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cooperacioun, from Latin cooperation-, cooperatio, from co- + operation-, operatio work, operation — more at operation
1. : the act of cooperating : a condition marked by cooperating : joint operation : common effort or labor
the river was dredged by the two states acting in cooperation
2. : association of persons for their common often economic benefit : association in a venture (as an industry, credit group, consumer group) the profits or benefits of which are shared : collective action for common well-being or progress
3. biology : a dynamic social process associated with organisms living in some degree of aggregation (as in communities or colonies) and characterized by sufficient mutual benefit to outweigh disadvantages (as competition) associated with crowding ; especially : protocooperation