English Reference
noun · verb

concession

n. · v.
US /kənˈsɛʃən/ UK /kənsˈɛʃən/ con·ces·sion UK spelling concession's, concession's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    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'.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate British English

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

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

    Simple

    The museum offers a concession for students and seniors.

    In context

    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.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate American English

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    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. 04 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical Law

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

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

    Simple

    The government granted a mining concession to the international firm.

    In context

    The logging concession was revoked after environmental inspectors discovered that the company had exceeded its permitted harvest boundaries.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. 05 C2 Proficiency FormalTechnical Law

    v.to give or approve something through a formal agreement.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

In return, Canada would be expected to make concessions on American booze, dairy import quotas and American automobile tariffs.

Toronto Sun· 16 Aug 2026

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Galibaf told reporters in Tehran on Saturday that the concessions Iran won in the MoU were “a source of pride and victory”.

Al Jazeera· 16 Aug 2026

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

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin concessiō
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated