boycott

American  

[boi-kot] / ˈbɔɪ kɒt /

verb (used with object)

1. to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion.

   to boycott a store.

2. to abstain from buying or using.

   to boycott foreign products.

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noun

1. the practice of boycotting.

2. an instance of boycotting.

boycott ¹ British  

/ ˈbɔɪkɒt /

verb

1. (tr) to refuse to have dealings with (a person, organization, etc) or refuse to buy (a product) as a protest or means of coercion

   to boycott foreign produce

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noun

1. an instance or the use of boycotting

Boycott ² British  

/ ˈbɔɪkɒt /

noun

1. Geoff ( rey ). born 1940, English cricketer: played for Yorkshire (1962–86); played in 108 test matches (1964–1982); first England batsman to score 8,000 test runs

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boycott Cultural  

1. The refusal to purchase the products of an individual, corporation, or nation as a way to bring social and political pressure for change.

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Other Word Forms

• antiboycott noun
• boycotter noun
• proboycott adjective

Etymology

Origin of boycott

After Charles C. Boycott (1832–97), English estate manager in Ireland, against whom nonviolent coercive tactics were used in 1880

Explanation

To boycott means to stop buying or using the goods or services of a certain company or country as a protest; the noun boycott is the protest itself. This noun comes from the name of Charles C. Boycott, an English land agent in 19th-century Ireland who refused to reduce rents for his tenant farmers. As a result, the local residents did not want to have any dealings with him. Boycotts are an effective way to use your spending dollars to effect change.

Example Sentences

UQP's decision to scrap her book has sparked a boycott of the publisher by several prominent Australian writers.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Simon was criticised at the time for breaking the cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

"We are told that the Americans threatened to boycott the G7 if South Africa was invited," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Several major U.S. defense firms have subsidiaries in the Iberian nation, which will now be compelled to comply with Spain’s boycott.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

When King started the 1956 Birmingham bus boycott, Moore had urged his friend to take the action nationwide, but King was not prepared to lead a mass movement at the time.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• avoid
• cut off
• exclude
• refuse
• reject
• snub
• spurn