Main Entry:

mo·nop·o·ly

Pronunciation:

\mə-ˈnä-p(ə-)lē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural mo·nop·o·lies

Etymology:

Latin monopolium, from Greek monopōlion, from mon- + pōlein to sell

Date:

1534

1 : exclusive ownership through legal privilege, command of supply, or concerted action 2 : exclusive possession or control 3 : a commodity controlled by one party 4 : one that has a monopoly