cartel Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a consortium of independent organizations formed to limit competition by controlling the production and distribution of a product or service
corporate trust; trust; combine.
- they set up the trust in the hope of gaining a monopoly

F., fr. LL. cartellus a little paper, dim. fr. L. charta. See 1st Card.

(Mil.) An agreement between belligerents for the exchange of prisoners. Wilhelm.
A letter of defiance or challenge; a challenge to single combat. Obs.
He is cowed at the very idea of a cartel., Sir W. Scott.
3. a formal or informal arrangement (sometimes unlawful) among independent commercial enterprises organized for the purpose of common gain, as by limiting competition or fixing prices