boycott

American  

[boi-kot] / ˈbɔɪ kɒt /

verb (used with object)

1. to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion.

   to boycott a store.

2. to abstain from buying or using.

   to boycott foreign products.

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noun

1. the practice of boycotting.

2. an instance of boycotting.

Boycott ¹ British  

/ ˈbɔɪkɒt /

noun

1. Geoff ( rey ). born 1940, English cricketer: played for Yorkshire (1962–86); played in 108 test matches (1964–1982); first England batsman to score 8,000 test runs

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boycott ² British  

/ ˈbɔɪkɒt /

verb

1. (tr) to refuse to have dealings with (a person, organization, etc) or refuse to buy (a product) as a protest or means of coercion

   to boycott foreign produce

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noun

1. an instance or the use of boycotting

boycott Cultural  

1. The refusal to purchase the products of an individual, corporation, or nation as a way to bring social and political pressure for change.

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Other Word Forms

• antiboycott noun
• boycotter noun
• proboycott adjective

Etymology

Origin of boycott

After Charles C. Boycott (1832–97), English estate manager in Ireland, against whom nonviolent coercive tactics were used in 1880

Explanation

To boycott means to stop buying or using the goods or services of a certain company or country as a protest; the noun boycott is the protest itself. This noun comes from the name of Charles C. Boycott, an English land agent in 19th-century Ireland who refused to reduce rents for his tenant farmers. As a result, the local residents did not want to have any dealings with him. Boycotts are an effective way to use your spending dollars to effect change.

Example Sentences

A consumer boycott of grapes under Huerta’s leadership led to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which paved the way for farmworkers to push for better working conditions and pay.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

"We are told that the Americans threatened to boycott the G7 if South Africa was invited," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

In the early 1970s, he launched a nationwide boycott of iceberg lettuce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Chavez engineered a 1968 boycott of California grapes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Before she can answer me, I hear, “I’d be more than happy to show you. If you’d break the boycott, that is. Give it a go, anyway. Even if you are barking mad.”

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Related Words

• avoid
• cut off
• exclude
• refuse
• reject
• snub
• spurn