embargo Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a government order imposing a trade barrier
    trade embargo; trade stoppage.
  2. verb ban the publication of (documents), as for security or copyright reasons
    • embargoed publications
  3. verb prevent commerce
    • The U.S. embargoes Libya

WordNet

Em*bar"go noun
Etymology
Sp., fr. embargar to arrest, restrain; pref. em- (L. in) + Sp. barra bar, akin to F. barre bar. See Bar.
Wordforms
plural Embargoes
Definitions
  1. An edict or order of the government prohibiting the departure of ships of commerce from some or all of the ports within its dominions; a prohibition to sail. ✍ If the embargo is laid on an enemy's ships, it is called a hostile embargo; if on the ships belonging to citizens of the embargoing state, it is called a civil embargo.
Em*bar"go transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Embargoed ; present participle & verbal noun Embargoing
Definitions
  1. To lay an embargo on and thus detain; to prohibit from leaving port; -- said of ships, also of commerce and goods.

Webster 1913