cartel

noun

car·​tel kär-ˈtel How to pronounce cartel (audio)
1
: a written agreement between belligerent nations
2
: a combination of independent commercial or industrial enterprises designed to limit competition or fix prices
illegal drug cartels
3
: a combination of political groups for common action

Did you know?

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

a cartel of oil-producing nations that controls production and influences prices
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cartel’s ability to manage prices depends on its ability to anticipate demand—and respond in kind. Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 The arrangement, Ford alleged, violated the RICO Act, which has played a central role in cases against high-profile organizations including Italian crime families, Mexican drug cartels and the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Two Jamaican nationals will be in prison for at least three years for helping run an international money laundering organization that washed over $6 million in drug trafficking proceeds from Colombian cartels, in part through Massachusetts banks. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025 Both Maduro and his second in command, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, are under U.S. indictments for allegedly leading the Los Soles drug cartel. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cartel

Word History

Etymology

French, letter of defiance, from Old Italian cartello, literally, placard, from carta leaf of paper — more at card entry 1

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cartel was in 1692

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cartel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartel. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

cartel

noun
car·​tel kär-ˈtel How to pronounce cartel (audio)
: a combination of business firms to control world markets and fix prices

More from Merriam-Webster on cartel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!