Concession

/kənˈsɛʃən/

nounIntermediateCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of conceding or yielding a point or privilege; something conceded or granted.

/kənˈsɛʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

The act of conceding or yielding a point or a privilege.

The company made a concession to the union regarding healthcare benefits.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game and you realize your friend is right about a rule. You make a concession, and agree with them to be fair, or if the game is being too hard, you give yourself a small advantage.

👶 For kids: When you give someone something they want, or when you agree that they're right, even if it's hard. Like, "Okay, I'll let you have the last cookie" is a concession!

More Examples

2

The politician's concession speech acknowledged defeat.

3

Despite the losses, the government was unwilling to make any further concessions.

4

The concession granted by the judge allowed the defendant to pay a reduced fine.

How It's Used

Politics

"The government made a significant concession to the striking workers."

Business

"The company offered a concession to secure the deal."

2

The granting of a right to use land, a building, or other property for a particular purpose.

/kənˈsɛʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
Business

A special right to use a property or facility for a specific purpose.

The theater's concession stand offers popcorn, candy, and drinks.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a baseball game. The place where you can buy hot dogs and drinks is a concession. It's a special spot that's been given permission to sell food.

👶 For kids: A special place where you can buy treats, like a snack stand at a movie theater or a playground. Someone has a 'concession' to sell those things.

More Examples

2

The company was awarded a concession to operate a ski resort.

3

The park granted a concession for a coffee shop within its boundaries.

4

Several restaurants have a concession inside the airport.

How It's Used

Business

"The stadium has a food concession offering various snacks and drinks."

Real Estate

"The development project included a concession for a public park."

Tip:Think of a business at an event. It's a concession – it has permission (a right) to sell things there.

Idioms & expressions

concession stand

A place where snacks, drinks, and souvenirs are sold, usually at a sports venue, cinema, or other entertainment facility.

"The movie theater's concession stand had a long line before the show."

concession speech

A speech given by a defeated candidate in an election, acknowledging the victory of their opponent.

"The losing candidate delivered a gracious concession speech after the results were announced."

From Latin concessio ('a yielding, permission'), from concedere ('to yield, permit'), from con- ('together') + cedere ('to yield, go').

Historically, the term has been used in diplomacy and international relations to describe territorial or economic advantages granted by one nation to another.

Memory tip

Think of a situation where you give in to something. Imagine a negotiation; you make a concession to reach an agreement.

Word Origin

Prefix: con- (together)

consesionconsessionconsession

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written