embargo
noun
\
Definition of embargo
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
embargo
verbDefinition of embargo (Entry 2 of 2)
: to place an embargo on
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for embargo
Synonyms: Noun
ban, interdict, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, veto
Antonyms: Noun
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of embargo in a Sentence
Noun
there's a standing embargo against the use of foul language in this houseRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
Sin embargo, no se asume que los pueblos indígenas sean también portadores de un pensamiento. — Smithsonian, "Andean Solstice Celebrations Capture the Wondrous Churn of Spacetime," 22 June 2018 Corker said that when Lacava traveled to Washington in March the possibility of the nephews’ release was discussed, as well as some sort of sanctions relief at a time Trump was threatening an oil embargo on the OPEC nation. — Time, "American Freed From Venezuelan Jail Gets Hero's Welcome as He Returns to Utah," 29 May 2018 Many Latin American nations fear that an embargo could worsen Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis and disrupt regional oil supplies. — Washington Post, "The Venezuelan oil industry is on a cliff’s edge. Trump could tip it over.," 25 Feb. 2018 Sin embargo, Florida tiene poca idea de la frecuencia con la que los conductores chocan mientras envían mensajes de texto. — Erika Pasantes Y John Maines, El Sentinel, "Tendencia mortal: Textear y manejar. Aumentan accidentes," 6 Feb. 2018 According to the report, a full transfer embargo is now said to be expected to follow suit. — SI.com, "Birmingham City Facing Shock Transfer Embargo Following Complications Over New Defender Signing," 11 July 2018 In a rare move against a major French corporation, a panel of French judges appointed by the Paris High Court also charged the company, Lafarge SA, with violating a European Union embargo on oil purchases. — New York Times, "French Cement Giant Lafarge Indicted on Terror Financing Charge in Syria," 28 June 2018 The United States has a decades-old trade embargo on the island. — Author: Sarah Marsh, Nelson Acosta, Anchorage Daily News, "Passenger plane crashes in Cuba, killing more than 100 people," 19 May 2018 This time, Kiir and Machar had faced a possible U.N. arms embargo and sanctions if fighting didn’t stop and a political deal wasn’t reached by Saturday. — Washington Post, "South Sudan’s latest cease-fire is violated within hours," 30 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The remarks will be embargoed until the end of the call. — Richard Bravo, Bloomberg.com, "Threat of Trade Brawl Hangs on Trump’s Looming Tariff Deadline," 31 May 2018 The ruling allows authorities to embargo any properties or money owned by the church, including bonds, cars and artwork. — Fox News, "Judge orders embargo of Puerto Rico Catholic church accounts," 27 Mar. 2018 Reporters regularly agree to embargo logistical details of trips to war zones, but are not typically asked to sign a document binding them to do so. — Maggie Haberman, New York Times, "White House Job Requirement: Signing a Nondisclosure Agreement," 21 Mar. 2018 The report, and Kasich's remarks, were embargoed until the report's release Tuesday morning. — Monroe Trombly, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio Gov. John Kasich to Donald Trump: Frustrated? 'Sit on your hands and keep your mouth shut'," 16 Jan. 2018 Formal reviews for The Last Jedi have been embargoed before the Dec.15 opening. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, "'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' premiere kicks off with cheers for Luke Skywalker's return," 10 Dec. 2017 On August 5, the US drafted a UN resolution that embargoed all imports of North Korean coal, iron, lead and seafood and required nations to cap employment of DPRK workers. — Nicole Gaouette, CNN, "Trump says UN North Korea sanctions are 'not a big deal'," 12 Sep. 2017 Now that vital flow could be stanched if, as industry leaders fear, President Donald Trump’s administration embargoes imports to pressure his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro. — Alex Nussbaum, Bloomberg.com, "As Venezuela Spirals, U.S. Oil Confronts a $10 Billion Threat," 3 Aug. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embargo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for embargo
embargo
nounFinancial Definition of embargo
What It Is
An embargo is a government-instituted prevention of exports to a certain country.
In the media world, an embargo is the release of information with the condition that it cannot be published or disseminated before a certain date. Companies often embargo press releases, meaning that they disseminate them to the media with the condition that the media not report the story until after a certain date.
How It Works
Let's say Country A dislikes Country B's human rights policies. In order to coerce Country B to change its ways, Country A forbids its companies from selling widgets to Country B. Country B has a huge demand for widgets, and being "cut off" from Country A's widgets could encourage Country B's citizens to demand that Country B's government change its ways.
In many cases, a group of countries will join an embargo so that a country like Country B can't just start buying widgets elsewhere. Sometimes countries will embargo all products with other countries.
The Magna Carta is one of the world's first and most famous embargoes. Another famous embargo is the one between the U.S. and Cuba, which has not received most American goods for 50 years.
Why It Matters
Embargoes are political strategies. Economies are increasingly global, which makes them even more powerful when they involve countries that rely on imports for day-to-day needs.
Critics point out that a country's choice not to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) may effectively place an embargo on the goods and services of that country, because WTO members often trade only with each other or give preferential treatment to other WTO members.
Source: Investing Answers
embargo
noun
English Language Learners Definition of embargo
: a government order that limits trade in some way
See the full definition for embargo in the English Language Learners Dictionary
embargo
noun
\
Kids Definition of embargo
: an order of a government forbidding ships engaged in trade from leaving its ports an oil embargo
Keep scrolling for more
embargo
noun
\
Legal Definition of embargo
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an order of a government prohibiting the departure of commercial ships from its ports
2 : a legal prohibition on commerce an embargo on arms shipments
3 : an order by a common carrier or public regulatory agency prohibiting or restricting freight transportation
embargo
transitive verbLegal Definition of embargo (Entry 2 of 2)
: to place an embargo on
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on embargo
What made you want to look up embargo? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name that Food Quiz
-
- Name these cookies!
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share embargo
Resources for embargo