concertation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “concertation” mean?
The process of multiple parties coming together to plan, coordinate, or discuss common goals or strategies, often through formal dialogue and negotiation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of multiple parties coming together to plan, coordinate, or discuss common goals or strategies, often through formal dialogue and negotiation.
Can refer to a specific system of collaborative policy-making, especially in economic and social contexts (e.g., tripartite concertation between government, employers, and trade unions).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more established in British and Commonwealth English, particularly in political science. In American English, it is very rare; 'consensus-building', 'collaborative planning', or 'tripartite dialogue' are preferred.
Connotations
In UK/EU contexts, it often connotes formal, institutionalized social partnership models. In the US, if used, it might sound like a technical borrowing from European political discourse.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general English; almost exclusively found in specialised texts on European politics, industrial relations, or public policy.
Grammar
How to Use “concertation” in a Sentence
concertation between [parties]concertation on [issue/topic]concertation for [purpose]through concertationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “concertation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government sought to concertate with industry leaders on the new climate targets.
- Unions are willing to concertate on productivity gains.
American English
- The stakeholders attempted to concertate a response, though the term 'collaborate' was used more frequently.
- It is rare to see 'concertate' used in US texts; 'to build consensus' is standard.
adverb
British English
- The parties worked concertatively to draft the agreement.
- They proceeded concertatively, ensuring all voices were heard.
American English
- They acted concertatively, a style more common in European models.
- The team rarely operates concertatively, preferring top-down decisions.
adjective
British English
- The concertative process was lengthy but productive.
- They established a concertative body to oversee the reforms.
American English
- A concertative approach was suggested, though 'collaborative' is the typical adjective.
- The report called for more concertative mechanisms in policy-making.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR/Industrial Relations for structured negotiations between management and unions.
Academic
Common in Political Science, Sociology, and European Studies papers discussing policy formation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term in EU governance and labour law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “concertation”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “concertation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “concertation”
- Using it as a synonym for a simple 'meeting'.
- Confusing it with 'concentration'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'discussion' or 'planning' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A meeting is a single event. Concertation refers to the ongoing *process* or *system* of structured dialogue and joint planning, often with a formal or institutional character.
It is not recommended. It is a formal, specialist term. In everyday situations, words like 'discussion', 'planning together', or 'teamwork' are more natural and understood.
'Cooperation' is broader and can be informal. 'Concertation' implies a more deliberate, organized, and often formalized process aimed at aligning specific plans or policies among distinct parties with potentially different interests.
It is extremely rare and not found in most standard dictionaries. While theoretically formed from 'concertation', it is best avoided. Use verbs like 'to coordinate', 'to consult', or 'to engage in concertation' instead.
The process of multiple parties coming together to plan, coordinate, or discuss common goals or strategies, often through formal dialogue and negotiation.
Concertation is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Concertation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒnsəˈteɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːnsərˈteɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at the concertation table”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an orchestra (from 'concert') where different sections (parties) must play in harmony (coordinate) to achieve a common goal. 'Concertation' is the process of achieving that harmony in planning.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNANCE/POLICY-MAKING IS AN ORCHESTRA (requiring different players to harmonize).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'concertation' most accurately used?