oligopoly

[ ol-i-gop-uh-lee ]

noun

1. the market condition that exists when there are few sellers, as a result of which they can greatly influence price and other market factors. Compare duopoly, monopoly ( def 1 ).

oligopoly

/ ˌɒlɪˈɡɒpəlɪ /

noun

1. economics a market situation in which control over the supply of a commodity is held by a small number of producers each of whom is able to influence prices and thus directly affect the position of competitors

oligopoly

1. Control over the production and sale of a product or service by a few companies.

Derived Forms

• ˌoliˌgopoˈlistic, adjective

Other Words From

• ol·i·gop·o·lis·tic [ol-i-gop-, uh, -, lis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oligopoly¹

First recorded in 1890–95; oligo- + (mono)poly

Word History and Origins

Origin of oligopoly¹

C20: from oligo- + Greek pōlein to sell, on the model of monopoly

Example Sentences

Supreme Court decision that effectively broke up the studio oligopolies.

From Los Angeles Times

You can hardly find a better example of the corruption of government by big business, which ties into all these issues about consolidation and oligopolies and monopoly power.

From Salon

“Big, fat tech oligopolies looking for more growth and profit; there are the medium-size companies that over-hired during boom times; and there are the smaller start-ups that are just trying to gain runway to survive.”

From New York Times

Most food-related industries, from seeds to store shelves, are oligopolies on their way to monopoly.

From Seattle Times

He wished that Apple would stop trying to steamroll smaller competitors, making more room for innovation outside the oligopolies of Silicon Valley.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cartel
• holding
• ownership
• patent
• trust