cooperation

The word “cooperation” means the act of working together with others toward a common goal. In plain terms, working together with someone, usually for mutual benefit.

“Cooperation” is pronounced koh-op-uh-RAY-shuhn (/koʊˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “cooperation” used in a sentence: “The project succeeded thanks to close cooperation between the teams.”

The opposite of “cooperation” — its antonyms — is competition.

“Cooperation” is a noun.

The word “cooperation” comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from French coopération, from Late Latin cooperatio, built the same way as cooperate — from co- ("together") and operari ("to work").

“Cooperation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Both involve working together, but "cooperation" emphasizes people helping one another and getting along toward a shared goal, while "collaboration" stresses actively creating something together, such as a joint project. You can cooperate simply by not obstructing others, but collaboration requires shared effort on the same work.

"Cooperation" is the act of working together willingly toward a common goal, while "coordination" is the organizing of different people or tasks so they fit together smoothly. Cooperation is about willingness; coordination is about arrangement.

Both spellings are correct: "cooperation" is standard in American English, while "co-operation" with a hyphen is a traditional British form, though modern British writing increasingly drops the hyphen too. The pronunciation and meaning are identical.

"Cooperation" is usually followed by "with" to name a partner and "between" to name the parties, as in "cooperation with neighbours" or "cooperation between the two countries." You can also do something "in cooperation with" someone.