cooperative

1 of 2

adjective

co·​op·​er·​a·​tive kō-ˈä-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce cooperative (audio)
-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-
Synonyms of cooperative
1
a
: marked by cooperation
cooperative efforts
b
: marked by a willingness and ability to work with others
cooperative neighbors
2
: of, relating to, or organized as a cooperative
a cooperative store
3
: relating to or comprising a program of combined liberal arts and technical studies at different schools
cooperatively adverb
cooperativeness noun

cooperative

2 of 2

noun

: an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services

Examples of cooperative in a Sentence

Adjective The witness was very cooperative. a cooperative space project undertaken by Russia and the U.S.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The shooter’s parents were cooperative and told investigators their son had attended Silver Rail Elementary School during their interview, the source said. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter said his mother has been cooperative with law enforcement so far in the investigation. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
These loans help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and private non-profits that can't meet necessary financial obligations because of the fire and its effects. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The Central Park South apartment is in a full-service cooperative designed by Wechsler & Schimenti and completed in 1963. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cooperative

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see cooperate

Noun

see cooperate

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooperative was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cooperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooperative. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

cooperative

1 of 2 adjective
co·​op·​er·​a·​tive kō-ˈäp-(ə-)rət-iv How to pronounce cooperative (audio)
-ˈäp-ə-ˌrāt-
1
: willing to cooperate
cooperative neighbors
2
: of, relating to, or organized as a cooperative
a cooperative store
cooperative apartments
cooperatively adverb
cooperativeness noun

cooperative

2 of 2 noun
: an association owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services

Legal Definition

cooperative

1 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or organized as a cooperative

cooperative

2 of 2 noun
co·​op·​er·​a·​tive
: an enterprise or organization (as for banking and credit services or the ownership of residential property) that is owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services

called also co-op

compare condominium sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on cooperative

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!