cooperation

cooperation — noun

1. the situation where two or more people or groups combine their efforts to reach

1.nounB1
Definition

the situation where two or more people or groups combine their efforts to reach a shared goal, or follow instructions to help make something happen smoothly.

Example

The two companies signed an agreement to ensure closer cooperation on future projects.

Yael needed the full cooperation of her team to finish the project by Friday.

collocation: full cooperation of [group]

Common collocations
  • close cooperation
  • full cooperation
  • international cooperation
  • mutual cooperation
  • in cooperation with
Synonyms
  • collaboration

    suggests a more active, creative joint effort, often on a specific task or project

  • teamwork

    focuses on how well a group works together, especially in workplace or sports settings

  • partnership

    more formal, implying a structured, ongoing relationship rather than one-off joint action

Antonyms
  • conflict

    working against each other instead of together

  • opposition

    active resistance that prevents joint progress

Grammar Patterns

cooperation + between [groups]

cooperation + with [someone]

in cooperation with

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — do not use 'a cooperation' or 'cooperations'. The verb form is 'cooperate' (intransitive).

Common Mistakes

We need a close cooperation between departments.
We need close cooperation between departments.
'cooperation' is uncountable and does not take the indefinite article.
The cooperation between the teams were excellent.
The cooperation between the teams was excellent.
uncountable nouns take a singular verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Cooperation" is the broadest term, covering any situation where people work together or follow instructions for a common purpose. "Collaboration" implies a more creative, hands-on joint effort — researchers collaborate on a study, but passengers simply cooperate with security. "Teamwork" emphasises the group dynamic and how effectively people coordinate in a shared setting, such as a sports team or office project. "Partnership" is a formal, long-term arrangement between organisations or individuals, like a business partnership or a public-private partnership. In everyday use, "cooperation" is neutral and general; "collaboration" is more active and goal-oriented; "teamwork" is about internal group behaviour; and "partnership" signals a binding structure. For example: "The neighbours showed great cooperation by sharing tools" versus "The two architects collaborated on the building design."

cooperation ↗collaboration ↗teamworkpartnership ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in cooperation with
  • with the cooperation of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'cooperatio' (working together), formed from 'co-' (together) and 'operari' (to work). The word entered English through French in the early 17th century and originally referred to joint effort toward a common goal.