embargo
em-BAR-go
/ɪmˈbɑːɡəʊ/
An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.
A severe economic measure blocking all or specific goods (e.g. arms or oil) from entering or leaving a nation.
The story behind the word. Borrowed from Spanish 'embargo' (impediment, seizure), derived from 'embargar' (to impede/restrain). It originally referred to seizing ships in port to prevent them from sailing.
Word relationships
- boycott: A boycott is voluntary social/consumer refusal, while an embargo is a state-enforced legal ban.
- blockade: A blockade uses physical military force to close ports; an embargo is a legal trade prohibition.
- free trade: Unrestricted trade between sovereign nations.
Commonly confused with
- sanction: An embargo is a specific total trade ban, whereas sanctions can encompass broader financial penalties.
Word family
- embargoed (adjective): Subject to a trade or news ban.
Collocations
- trade embargo
- lift an embargo
- arms embargo
- impose an embargo
Example sentences
- "Congress voted to enforce a trade embargo against the hostile regime to halt its military expansion." Trade relations
- "Journalists were bound by a news embargo until the official press conference concluded." Media restrictions
Memory hook
EMBARGO puts a BAR in front of trade GOing through borders. EM-BAR-GO = Put a BAR to stop commerce.
When not to use
Do not use for minor individual product recalls or personal boycotts.
Fun facts
- The US embargo on Cuba, initiated in 1960, is one of the longest-standing trade embargoes in modern history.
Related words
Also appears in
- Business → Globalization & Trade
- 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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