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The literal meaning of Italian cartello, a derivative of carta, “leaf of paper,” is “placard.” The word is also used for a letter of defiance or a challenge. In this sense the Italian word was borrowed into Middle French as cartel, and the French word was borrowed into English. In English, a cartel was originally a letter of defiance. Later the word came to be used for a written agreement between warring nations to regulate such matters as the treatment and exchange of prisoners. Another type of agreement, a combination of commercial enterprises, is now called a cartel.
Did you know?
A cartel is an organization of a few independent producers for the purpose of improving the profitability of the firms involved. This usually involves some restriction of output, control of price, and allocation of market shares. Members of a cartel generally maintain their separate identities and financial independence while engaging in cooperative policies. Cartels can either be domestic or international. Because cartels restrict competition and result in higher prices for consumers, they are outlawed in some countries. The only industry operating in the U.S. with a blanket exemption from the antitrust laws is major-league baseball.
Examples of cartel in a Sentence
Aarón Ibarra, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
García Harfuch said that in Baja California, those arrested have included leaders and operators from various factions of the Sinaloa cartel, such as Los Mayos, Los Rusos, Los Aquiles and the Arellano Félix Organization.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
My key priorities include prosecuting violent offenders, gangs, traffickers, fentanyl dealers, and cartels; supporting local law enforcement; pursuing lawsuits to defend Texas; and aggressively investigating and prosecuting fraud.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Drones near the border are not new and have been a steady problem over several years, particularly those used by cartels.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cartel
Cite this Entry
“Cartel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartel. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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cartel
noun
