the negotiating table

noun

used to say that people are having formal discussions in order to reach an agreement
The two sides in this dispute have returned to the negotiating table.
They came to an agreement at the negotiating table.

Examples of the negotiating table in a Sentence

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.
Every gain at the negotiating table must be sold to people who are not at the table. Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 Both sides are due back at the negotiating table on Monday. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026 Republicans say if they are not brought to the negotiating table, their options are limited. Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026 Many business owners arrive at the negotiating table armed with good intentions and nothing else. Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for the negotiating table

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The negotiating table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20negotiating%20table. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster