Here’s the full corrected **Concession** entry:
Something given up or granted during a negotiation or argument; an acknowledgment that something is true; OR a right to operate a business within a larger space; OR a reduced price for certain groups
The labor union and company management had been locked in tense discussions for days, neither side willing to back down. Workers demanded higher wages, while executives insisted the budget couldn’t stretch any further. Finally, after a particularly heated session, the company made a major concession by agreeing to improved health benefits, which wasn’t exactly what the workers had asked for but showed enough goodwill to keep negotiations moving forward.
This is the meaning you’ll hear most often, especially in business, politics, and everyday disagreements. A concession is when you give up something you originally wanted in order to reach an agreement. Think about haggling at a market — if the seller lowers the price a little, that’s a concession to make the sale happen. In arguments between friends or partners, making a concession means letting go of one point so you can move past the conflict and find peace.
Vivid example: After hours of debate about where to hold the wedding, he made a concession by agreeing to her preferred venue, knowing that seeing her happy mattered more than winning the argument.
Sometimes a concession isn’t about giving something up — it’s about admitting something, especially when you’d rather not. You know when someone has been defending their opinion strongly, and then finally says, “Okay, I admit you have a point”? That admission is a concession. Politicians often make concessions when they acknowledge criticism has some truth to it, even while defending their overall position.
Vivid example: Her speech included a surprising concession that mistakes had been made in the early stages of the project, earning her unexpected respect from critics who appreciated her honesty.
In American English especially, a concession refers to a small business that has permission to operate inside a larger space — like the food stalls at a stadium or the shops inside an airport. The company running these spots has been granted a concession to sell there. You’ll often hear “concession stand” at movie theaters or sports events, meaning the place where you buy popcorn, drinks, and snacks before finding your seat.
Vivid example: The family ran a small concession inside the baseball stadium for over twenty years, selling hot dogs and sodas to generations of fans who came to know them by name.
In British English, a concession often means a discounted price offered to students, seniors, or other specific groups. When you see ticket prices listed with “concessions” alongside adult prices, it means reduced rates are available for people who qualify. You might ask at a ticket counter, “Do you offer concessions for students?” and show your ID to get the lower price.
Vivid example: The museum offered generous concessions for pensioners and students, making art accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to afford the full admission price.
In elections and competitions, a concession is the formal acceptance that you’ve lost. When a candidate gives a “concession speech,” they’re publicly admitting defeat and congratulating the winner. This carries weight because it signals the end of the contest and calls for unity. Refusing to make a concession after clearly losing is often seen as poor sportsmanship or dangerous for democracy.
Vivid example: Shortly after midnight, the candidate delivered a graceful concession speech to her tearful supporters, thanking them for their hard work while urging everyone to support the president-elect for the good of the country.
Examples from the street:
“We had to make some concessions to get the deal done.” → We had to give up some things we wanted in order to reach an agreement
“His apology felt like a concession that he’d been wrong all along.” → His saying sorry was basically an admission that he’d made a mistake from the start
“Do you have concession tickets? I’m a student.” → Are there discounted prices for people like students or seniors?
– make a concession / make concessions → give up something you want to reach agreement
– win/gain a concession → get the other side to give up something
– a concession to someone/something → something given up to satisfy a person or demand
– major/minor concession → a big or small thing given up
– refuse to make any concessions → reject giving up anything
– demand/expect concessions → insist the other side gives something up
– a concession that → an admission that something is true
– concession speech → a speech admitting defeat (especially in elections)
– in a concession to → as an acknowledgement of; giving way to
– a rare concession → an unusual admission from someone who rarely admits things
– concession ticket/fare/price → reduced price for students, elderly, etc.
– concession rate → the discounted price offered to certain groups
– concessions available → discounts offered for eligible people
– concession stand → a stall selling food/drinks at venues (cinemas, stadiums)
– concession area → the part of a venue where food/drinks are sold
Example Sentences
1. Both sides will need to make concessions if we’re going to reach a peace agreement → Each party will have to give something up if we’re going to achieve a treaty to end the conflict.
2. The company refused to make any concessions on pay, so the workers went on strike → The business wouldn’t budge on wages at all, so the employees stopped working in protest.
3. After weeks of negotiation, the union finally won a major concession on working hours → Following lengthy discussions, the workers’ group successfully got management to give way significantly on scheduling.
4. The new policy was a concession to critics who had complained about transparency → The updated approach was a response to satisfy those who had raised concerns about openness.
5. His smile was a rare concession — he usually kept a completely straight face → His grin was an unusual break from his normal behaviour — he typically showed no emotion.
6. The defeated candidate gave a gracious concession speech and wished her opponent well → The losing contender delivered a dignified address acknowledging defeat and offering good wishes to her rival.
7. In a concession to safety concerns, they agreed to lower the speed limit → Acknowledging worries about accidents, they consented to reduce how fast drivers could go.
8. Do you offer concession tickets for pensioners? → Do you have reduced prices for retired people?
9. The museum offers a concession rate for students with valid ID → The gallery provides a discounted entry fee for learners who can show proper identification.
10. Let’s grab some popcorn from the concession stand before the film starts → Let’s pick up some snacks from the food counter before the movie begins.
Learner Examples
1. Teachers often make concessions for students who are genuinely struggling — extending deadlines or offering extra support → Instructors frequently bend the rules for learners who are truly having difficulty — giving more time or providing additional help.
2. Asking questions in class can feel like a concession that you don’t understand, but it’s actually a sign of active learning → Raising queries during lessons can seem like admitting you haven’t grasped something, but it’s really evidence of engaged studying.
✔ Native usage tips
– “Make concessions” is the key phrase — this is by far the most common pattern. You “make” concessions, not “do” or “give” them. “Make a concession” (singular) or “make concessions” (plural) both work
– “Concession speech” is election vocabulary — in politics, when a candidate loses, they traditionally give a “concession speech” to formally admit defeat and congratulate the winner. This is a fixed phrase
– British vs American meaning difference — in British English, “concession” commonly means a discount (concession fare, concession ticket). In American English, “concession” often refers to a food stall (concession stand). Both meanings exist in both varieties, but the emphasis differs
– “Concession” implies reluctance — when you make a concession, there’s a sense that you didn’t want to give it up. It’s not a gift freely offered; it’s something yielded under pressure or for strategic reasons
– The verb is “concede” — “concession” is the noun. “He conceded the point” (verb) → “He made a concession” (noun). “She conceded defeat” → “She gave a concession speech”
– Don’t confuse with “confession” — “concession” is about giving something up or admitting defeat; “confession” is about admitting guilt or wrongdoing. Different words, different meanings
✔ Similar expressions / words
– Compromise → involves mutual concessions by both sides; “concession” can be one-sided; “a compromise” suggests balance; “a concession” suggests one party giving way
– Admission → specifically about acknowledging truth or guilt; “concession” is broader; “an admission of guilt” is more direct than “a concession that he was wrong”
– Discount → the everyday word for reduced price; “concession” in this sense is more formal/British; “student discount” is more common globally than “student concession”