embargo
em-BAHR-goh
ɪmˈbɑːrɡoʊ
An official order prohibiting trade or commercial activity with a particular country.
Represents a comprehensive structural trade ban targeting key commodities or entire economies.
The story behind the word. Borrowed directly from Spanish 'embargo', originating from 'embargar' meaning to arrest or impede. In maritime tradition, placing an embargo meant detaining merchant ships in port to prevent foreign trade.
Word relationships
- ban: Ban is a broad term for prohibiting anything; embargo specifically target commercial shipping, trade, or press releases.
- boycott: Boycotts are voluntary grass-roots actions; embargoes are state-enforced trade prohibitions.
- free trade: Unrestricted trade across borders without government barriers.
Commonly confused with
- sanction: Sanctions encompass various targeted penalties; an embargo is a total or major prohibition on trade.
Collocations
- impose an embargo
- lift an embargo
- trade embargo
- arms embargo
Example sentences
- "The coalition imposed a strict trade embargo against the belligerent regime." International Relations
- "The government released the report under an news embargo until eight o'clock in the morning." Journalism & Media
Memory hook
EMBARGO = Put up a BARGO (barrier) to trade. Embargo = Economic bar in place.
When not to use
Do not confuse with minor product recalls or personal boycotts by individual consumers.
Fun facts
- The 1973 OPEC oil embargo caused major world energy crises and transformed global automobile manufacturing.
Related words
Also appears in
- Business → Globalization & Trade
- Law → International Law & Treaties
- 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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