embargo
noun
any restriction imposed upon commerce by edict, especially against a certain country as a penalty or to induce compliance with demands or legal obligations.
embargoes
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pluralof embargo.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof embargo (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
embargonounany restriction imposed upon commerce by edict, especially against a certain country as a penalty or to induce compliance with demands or legal obligations.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After the 1973 oil crisis, when embargoes led to gas rationing, the country banned crude-oil exports.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
Because a blockade is recognized in international law as an act of war, governments more often characterize their efforts to isolate an adversary as sanctions, embargoes or quarantines that suggest narrower goals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
US economic and trade embargoes on Cuba have been in place since 1960.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
Controlled countries are nations that are subject to embargoes or other trade restrictions.
From Barron's ● Dec. 19, 2025
In an effort to stop Japan, President Franklin Roosevelt imposed ever-increasing embargoes on materiel, such as scrap metal and aviation fuel.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
