rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycooperationWorking together
noun

cooperation

koh-op-uh-RAY-shun/kəʊˌɑːpəˈreɪʃn/

Working together toward a shared purpose.

The volunteers' cooperation lets them hold, align, and fasten the bench parts together.

Three volunteers assemble a simple wooden bench together: one holds the end upright, one aligns seat plank, third tightens a bolt with hand wrench.
Etymology
coLatinwith, together
+operLatinto work
+ationLatinaction or process

The action-noun ending turns working together into the name of an activity. Cooperation is that shared effort viewed as a process directed toward one end.

In context

TED6:52
So now, we love cooperation. There's no better joy than working together, is there? And then not only humans. Then, of course, there's the struggle for life …
Matthieu Ricard: How to let altruism be your guide

More examples

  • International cooperation helps scientists track the spread of disease.
  • The cleanup requires cooperation from everyone in the neighborhood.
  • We organize the festival in cooperation with local businesses.

Forms

cooperate verb — To work together toward a shared goal.

cooperative adjective — Willing to work together with others.

Similar words

collaboration
Emphasizes jointly creating something or developing a specific project.
teamwork
Emphasizes coordinated effort among members of a team.