embargo
em-BAR-go
/ɪmˈbɑːrɡoʊ/
An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.
The most extreme form of trade barrier, often used as a political weapon rather than just an economic one.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Spanish 'embargar', meaning to arrest or impede. It originally referred to the detention of ships in a port by government order.
Word relationships
- ban: A ban is general; an embargo is specifically about trade and ships.
- boycott: A boycott is usually a voluntary refusal by consumers; an embargo is a legal mandate by a government.
Commonly confused with
- sanction: A sanction is a broad penalty; an embargo is a specific type of sanction that stops trade.
Collocations
- trade embargo
- lift an embargo
- impose an embargo
Example sentences
- "The 1973 oil embargo caused fuel prices to skyrocket across the Western world." History
- "The United Nations may vote to lift the arms embargo if the peace treaty is signed." International law
Memory hook
Embargo = 'Em-Bar-Go'. You put a 'Bar' on where the goods can 'Go'. Bar the Go.
When not to use
Don't use it for a simple delay; it implies a total or near-total legal prohibition.
Fun facts
- The U.S. embargo against Cuba is one of the longest-running trade bans in modern history, lasting over 60 years.
Related words
Also appears in
- Law → International Law & Treaties
- Political Science & Governance → State Sovereignty & Statecraft
- Media, Journalism & Publishing → News Reporting & Investigative Journalism
- Economic Theory & Analysis → International Trade & Tariffs
- Military Science & Warfare → Naval Warfare & Maritime Security
- Political Science & Governance → Diplomacy & Foreign Policy
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