cartel

American  

[kahr-tel] / kɑrˈtɛl /

noun

1. an international syndicate, combine, or trust formed especially to regulate prices and output in some field of business.

   Synonyms:

   combination, merger, monopoly

2. a coalition of political or special-interest groups having a common cause, as to encourage the passage of a certain law.

3. a written agreement between belligerents, especially for the exchange of prisoners.

4. a written challenge to a duel.

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cartel British  

/ kɑːˈtɛl /

noun

1. Also called: trust.  a collusive international association of independent enterprises formed to monopolize production and distribution of a product or service, control prices, etc

2. politics an alliance of parties or interests to further common aims

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cartel Cultural  

1. An association in which producers of a similar or identical product try to obtain a monopoly over the sale of the product.

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Discover More

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a cartel.

Other Word Forms

• cartelism noun

Etymology

Origin of cartel

1550–60; < Middle French < Italian cartello letter of defiance, poster, equivalent to cart ( a ) carte + -ello diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Authorities also reported blocked roads in other areas of Mexico where the cartel held sway.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially, both sides assumed that the familiar practice of cartels and paroles would be maintained.

From The Wall Street Journal

CBP fired the laser thinking it was aiming at cartel drones, leading the FAA to close the airspace over El Paso—and causing an uproar in Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal

But those prisoner transfers have not eased tensions on the U.S.-Mexico border where cartel drones regularly fly into U.S. airspace, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gail Slater was trying to enforce antitrust laws to protect the average American from monopolies and corporate cartels, particularly in the area of kitchen table issues.”

From Barron's

Related Words

• conglomerate
• consortium
• corporation
• gang
• holding company
• mob
• monopoly
• ring
• syndicate