embargo

[em-bahr-goh]

noun

plural

embargoes 

1. any restriction imposed upon commerce by edict, especially against a certain country as a penalty or to induce compliance with demands or legal obligations.

   The United Nations fact-finding mission recommended the imposition of an arms embargo and other targeted economic sanctions on the rogue state.

   The software may not be exported into any country with which the United States maintains a trade embargo prohibiting the shipment of goods.

2. an order of a government prohibiting the movement of merchant ships into or out of its ports.

3. an injunction from a government commerce agency to refuse freight for shipment, as in case of congestion or insufficient facilities.

4. a restraint or hindrance; prohibition.

   A one-year embargo on her published dissertation allowed only the title, abstract, and citation information to be released to the public.

   Synonyms: proscription, interdiction, restriction, ban

verb (used with object)

embargoed, embargoing 

1. to impose an embargo on.

embargo

/ ɛmˈbɑːɡəʊ /

noun

1. a government order prohibiting the departure or arrival of merchant ships in its ports

2. any legal stoppage of commerce

   an embargo on arms shipments

3. a restraint, hindrance, or prohibition

verb

1. to lay an embargo upon

2. to seize for use by the state

embargo

1. A governmental restriction on trade for political purposes. The objective is to put pressure on other governments by prohibiting exports to or imports from those countries.

Other Word Forms

• preembargo adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embargo¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Spanish, derivative of embargar “to hinder, embarrass,” from unattested Vulgar Latin imbarricāre, equivalent to im- im- ¹ + unattested -barricāre ( barr(a) bar ¹ + -icāre causative suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of embargo¹

C16: from Spanish, from embargar, from Latin _im- + barra _bar ¹

Example Sentences

The report, titled "A War of Atrocities" called on the international community to enforce an arms embargo as well as set up an independent judicial process to ensure alleged perpetrators face justice.

From BBC

But with the first Democratic National Committee meeting in seven months now underway, the DNC’s leadership seems determined to derail a resolution calling for “an arms embargo and suspension of military aid to Israel.”

From Salon

Trade experts say the high tariffs - including a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil and weapons - are akin to an embargo on Indian goods.

From BBC

The embargo placed on the club by the National League is lifted, meaning players can now be signed to reinforce the squad for the long campaign ahead.

From BBC

The Owls were relegated from the Championship and returned in 2023 but were also put under a transfer embargo later that year because of payments owed to HMRC.

From BBC

Related Words

• ban 
• restraint