noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/kəˈluːʒən/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:K AH0 L UW1 ZH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A private, cooperative agreement or arrangement between groups that otherwise maintain the pretense of competition, contention or non-cooperation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A private agreement for a fraudulent or illegal purpose; conspiracy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
secret agreement
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: agreement, arrangement
4
noun
Meaning 4
agreement on a secret plot
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: connivance
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: agreement
Narrower terms: cahoot
History
Etymology
Dated from the 14th century C.E. as Middle English collusioun, collusion; from Old French collusion, from Latin collusio (“act of colluding”).
Across languages
Translations
50 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Hindi:
दुरभिसंधि
(durbhisandhi)
— between competitors