monopsony

[ muh-nop-suh-nee ]

noun

, plural mo·nop·so·nies.

1. the market condition that exists when there is one buyer.

monopsony

/ məˈnɒpsənɪ /

noun

1. a situation in which the entire market demand for a product or service consists of only one buyer

Derived Forms

• moˌnopsoˈnistic, adjective

Other Words From

• mo·nopso·nist noun
• mo·nopso·nistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopsony¹

First recorded in 1930–35; mon- + Greek opsōnía “shopping, purchase of provisions”

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopsony¹

C20: mono- + Greek opsōnia purchase, from opsōnein to buy

Example Sentences

So that increasing concentration, it can show up in funny ways — non-compete clauses can create a kind of monopsony power.

From Freakonomics

At the same time, in many industries, product market competition has eroded, concentration has increased, and there is growing evidence of monopsony power.

From MIT Technology Review