Monopoly
/məˈnɒpəli/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounComplete control of the supply or trade of a product or service.
nounA board game in which players buy and trade property.
Extra definitions
nounExclusive control of a market.
nounA company with no serious competitors.
nounComplete control over a resource.
Sentence Examples
The company gained a monopoly on transport.
A monopoly can lead to higher prices.
The law prevents a monopoly.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
None
Word Origin & History
From Latin monopōlium, from Ancient Greek μονοπώλιον (monopṓlion, “a right of exclusive sale”), from μόνος (mónos, “sole”) + πωλέω (pōléō, “to barter, sell”). By surface analysis, mono- + -poly.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
“The sale of the leaves and roots was a Government monopoly, and from it the Kings of Kôr derived a large proportion of their private revenue.”
— 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
“In 1918 a Chinese company was given a monopoly to run a service between Victoria and the districts of Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Five years later this monopoly was transferred to the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company, together with the right to run a service to Yau Ma Tei.”
— 1962, G. B. Endacott, A. Hinton, “Public Works and Transport”, in Fragrant Harbour: A Short History of Hong Kong, Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, published 1977, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 122:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company gained a ____ on transport.