chaebol

American  

[je-buhl] / ˈdʒɛ bəl /

noun

plural

chaebol, chaebols

1. a South Korean conglomerate, usually owned by a single family, based on authoritarian management and centralized decision-making.

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chaebol British  

/ ˈtʃeɪbɒl /

noun

1. a large, usually family-owned, business group in South Korea

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Etymology

Origin of chaebol

First recorded in 1970–75; from Korean chaebŏl, from chae “wealth, property” + pŏl “clique, faction,” formed from the Korean pronunciation of the two Middle Chinese characters whose Japanese pronunciation is “zaibatsu”; see origin at zaibatsu ( def. )

Example Sentences

Moe is one of many analysts at present pointing out the progress made on corporate governance reform which has improved shareholders returns and narrowed the discounts on conglomerate or chaebol shares.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 6, 2026

But even as a chaebol, Amorepacific says it looks to smaller independent brands for fresh ideas.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

It is South Korea's largest chaebol, the family-run conglomerates that dominate the country's economy.

From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025

Song plays Yoon Hyun-woo, a longtime employee of the chaebol family-run Soonyang Group.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2023

Korean corporations — the family-owned conglomerates known as chaebol that have long been art buyers and philanthropists — have also funded art initiatives abroad.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2023