restraint of trade

American  

noun

1. action tending to interrupt the free flow of goods and services, as by price fixing and other practices that have the effect of reducing competition.

---

restraint of trade British  

noun

1. action tending to interfere with the freedom to compete in business

---

Etymology

Origin of restraint of trade

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

restraint of trade

But there are several obstacles, including the potential for lawsuits claiming restraint of trade.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 19, 2024

In lawsuits by pre-2018 workers, however, the chains have argued that there was no conspiracy or, in the alternative, that any restraint of trade was not unreasonable.

From Reuters ● Sep. 1, 2022

Rogers’ conclusion is another reason Epic didn’t prevail on the monopoly maintenance or restraint of trade claims discussed above, since two of them specifically dealt with IAP.

From The Verge ● Sep. 12, 2021

In most other professions, this strategy would run afoul of the Sherman Act, which prohibits collusion “in restraint of trade or commerce.”

From Slate ● Jun. 21, 2021

One decision had declared that a Trade Union, being an association in restraint of trade, was illegal, and that an official who embezzled its funds could not be sued by the Society.

From A Short History of English Liberalism by Blease, Walter Lyon