What does "concession" mean?

1. (giving in) something you allow or give up to end an argument or reach an agreement. 2. (discounted price) a lower price for a ticket or service, usually for students, children, or older people. 3. (commercial stand) a small business or stand that sells things inside a larger place like a stadium or cinema. 4. (granted right) a special right given by a government to use land or start a business. 5. (to grant a right) to give or approve something through a formal agreement.

How do you use "concession"?

Often used with the verb 'make'. Often used in the compound 'concession stand'. Commonly used in international law and resource management contexts.

concession

n. · v.

US //kənˈsɛʃən// UK //kənsˈɛʃən// con·ces·sion

1 giving in (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something you allow or give up to end an argument or reach an agreement.

the act of yielding a point or a right in response to a demand or to facilitate a compromise.

Example

The company made a major concession on pay to avoid a strike.

Example

The management's primary concession involved a commitment to flexible working hours, which finally broke the deadlock in the contract negotiations.

Usage

Often used with the verb 'make'.
- denial
- refusal
2 discounted price (n.)
B1 Intermediate British English

a lower price for a ticket or service, usually for students, children, or older people.

a reduction in the price of a service or ticket granted to a specific group of people.

Example

The museum offers a concession for students and seniors.

Example

Travelers over sixty-five are eligible for a significant concession on off-peak rail fares across the national network.

Teacher's tip

In American English, 'discount' is more common for this meaning; 'concession' in the US usually refers to food stands.
- discount
- reduction
- surcharge

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer

3 commercial stand (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate American English

a small business or stand that sells things inside a larger place like a stadium or cinema.

a commercial operation or franchise located within the premises of a larger entity, such as a stadium, park, or airport.

Example

We bought some popcorn at the concession stand before the movie started.

Example

The stadium's revenue increased significantly after they upgraded the food concessions to include local gourmet vendors.

Usage

Often used in the compound 'concession stand'.
4 granted right (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

a special right given by a government to use land or start a business.

a grant of land or a right to use property for a specific purpose, typically awarded by a government or local authority.

Example

The government granted a mining concession to the international firm.

Example

The logging concession was revoked after environmental inspectors discovered that the company had exceeded its permitted harvest boundaries.

Usage

Commonly used in international law and resource management contexts.
5 to grant a right (v.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Law

to give or approve something through a formal agreement.

to grant or approve a right or property by means of a formal concession agreement.

Example

The territory was concessioned to the railway company for ninety-nine years.

Example

The municipal council voted to concession the operation of the public water system to a private utility provider for the next decade.
- grant
- license
- withhold

Origin

From late Middle English concession, from Middle French concession, from Latin concessiō (“a grant, permission, conceding”), from concēdō. Doublet of concessio.