What does bargaining mean?
Bargaining is the process by which two or more parties negotiate the terms of a deal, most commonly the price of goods or services, each seeking the best outcome for themselves. The word appears throughout daily life—from haggling in markets to formal settings such as collective bargaining between unions and employers, or plea bargaining in legal proceedings. Beyond describing the act of negotiation itself, 'bargaining' frequently denotes a party's leverage, as in 'bargaining power' or 'bargaining chip', referring to the strength one brings to the table. Derived from Old French via Middle English, the term carries no strong emotional charge: it can suggest shrewdness and thrift when used approvingly, or stubbornness and pettiness when disapproving. Its ubiquity in commerce, law, and diplomacy makes it an essential word for anyone discussing how agreements get made.
The action or process of negotiating the terms of a transaction or agreement, especially over price.
"Skilled bargaining saved her nearly half the asking price at the bazaar."
Frequently modified by adjectives such as 'hard', 'tough', or 'shrewd'.
Leverage or negotiating strength held by a party in a discussion, as in 'bargaining power' or 'bargaining position'.
"With three rival offers in hand, she had considerable bargaining power."
In plea bargaining, most criminal cases in the United States are resolved without ever reaching a trial.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bargaining
Bargaining derives from the verb 'bargain', which entered Middle English from Old French 'bargaignier', meaning to haggle or negotiate, likely of Germanic origin. The gerund form 'bargaining' has been used since Middle English times to describe the act of negotiating a transaction. Its modern specialized uses, such as 'collective bargaining' and 'plea bargaining', developed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries respectively.
How bargaining is actually used
Neutral to slightly informal in everyday use, but central terminology in economics, labour relations, and law (e.g. 'plea bargaining'). Often used attributively before nouns such as 'power', 'chip', 'position', and 'table'.
Easily confused with bargaining
Bartering means exchanging goods or services directly without money, while bargaining is the negotiation over terms—usually price—that may accompany any kind of trade.