embargo

¹em·bar·go

noun \im-ˈbär-(ˌ)gō\

plural em·bar·goes

Definition of EMBARGO

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

Examples of EMBARGO

1. <there's a standing embargo against the use of foul language in this house>

Origin of EMBARGO

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

First Known Use: 1593

Related to EMBARGO

Synonyms: ban, prohibition, interdict, interdiction, proscription, veto

Antonyms: prescription

Related Words: no-no, taboo (also tabu); constraint, inhibition, limitation, restraint, restriction; deterrent, discouragement; repression, suppression; prevention; denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection; objection, protest; caveat, warning; no-no; commandment, decree, dictate, edict, injunction, mandate

Near Antonyms: sufferance, tolerance, toleration; allowance, allowing, authorization, clearance, consent, granting, leave, letting, license (or licence), licensing (also licencing), permission, permitting, sanction, sanctioning; approbation, approval, blessing, endorsement (also indorsement), imprimatur, OK (or okay); enabling, encouragement, facilitation, promotion, support; compliance, obedience, submission; accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent

[+]more[-]hide

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism