Main Entry: ¹em·bar·go

Pronunciation: \im-ˈbär-(ˌ)gō\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural em·bar·goes

Etymology: Spanish, from embargar to bar, from Vulgar Latin *imbarricare, from Latin in- + Vulgar Latin *barra bar

Date: 1593

1 : an order of a government prohibiting the departure of commercial ships from its ports
2 : a legal prohibition on commerce <a trade embargo>
3 : stoppage, impediment; especially : prohibition <I lay no embargo on anybody's words — Jane Austen>
4 : an order by a common carrier or public regulatory agency prohibiting or restricting freight transportation