cartel

noun

car·​tel kär-ˈtel 

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.

Synonyms of cartel

• syndicate
• conglomerate

Examples of cartel in a Sentence

a cartel of oil-producing nations that controls production and influences prices

Recent Examples on the Web

Analysts say the Cartel de los Soles is not a singular organization, but instead refers to elements within the Venezuelan government accused of colluding with drug cartels. —CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

The couple face charges in the United States of running an international drug cartel out of Caracas. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2026

During the show's three-season arc, viewers get a crash course in the creation and growth of the cocaine cartels that dominated the '80s. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026

Wedding, who is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on suspicion of running an international drug ring, is believed to be hiding out in Mexico under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for cartel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

cartel

noun

car·​tel kär-ˈtel 

: a combination of business firms to control world markets and fix prices