Embargo Meaning
/ɪmˈbɑɹɡoʊ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn order by the government prohibiting ships from leaving port.
nounA ban on trade with another country.
Sentence Examples
The U.S. is calling for an arms embargo against violators of the treaty.
Opposition to the embargo was growing.
The US never imposed a trade embargo on Algeria.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The government placed an ____ on all trade with the hostile nation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The government decided to place an ____ on trade with the country.
Word Origin & History
From Spanish embargar (“to arrest”), from late Latin *imbarricāre (“to bar”), from Latin in- + Vulgar Latin *barra (“bar, barrier”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Instead he [Jefferson] proposed an embargo, an end to all trade between America and England."
— 2004, Chris Wallace, Character: Profiles in Presidential Courage:
"They were delighted with the idea of their mamma having forgiven Louisa, but sorry, she thought, such a public proof of her pardon necessary as that of giving a party; for the sisters well knew how great an embargo it would lay on the purses of Helen and Georgiana;..."
— 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXVII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 44:
"Embargoed until after first reading in Parliament"
— 2023 July 4, “Introduction of the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Bill”, in Ministry of Trade and Industry:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The government placed an ____ on all trade with the hostile nation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The government decided to place an ____ on trade with the country.