OPEC

American  

[oh-pek] / ˈoʊ pɛk /

noun

1. an organization founded in 1960 of nations that export large amounts of petroleum: formed to establish oil-exporting policies and set prices.

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OPEC British  

/ ˈəʊˌpɛk /

acronym

1. Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries: an organization formed in 1961 to administer a common policy for the sale of petroleum. Its members are Algeria, Angola, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. Ecuador and Gabon were members but withdrew in 1992 and 1995 respectively

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Etymology

Origin of OPEC

O(rganization of ) P(etroleum) E(xporting) C(ountries)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

OPEC

What Hasbro’s CFO learned from a cyberattack; can the AI trade power the next rally?; plus, OPEC, allies increase oil output.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

Whether it’s in or out of OPEC, it’s status is therefore immensely significant for the supply-demand balance of the global oil market.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026

By breaking up with OPEC, Abu Dhabi is also strengthening its ties with the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

Making a bad situation worse, oil prices rose today on news that the United Arab Emirates was leaving OPEC.

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, plays a leading role in OPEC, and invests substantial amounts abroad.

From The 1991 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency