cartel

[ kahr-tel ]

noun

1. an international syndicate, combine, or trust formed especially to regulate prices and output in some field of business.

   Synonyms: combination, merger, monopoly

2. a coalition of political or special-interest groups having a common cause, as to encourage the passage of a certain law.
3. a written agreement between belligerents, especially for the exchange of prisoners.
4. a written challenge to a duel.

cartel

/ kɑːˈtɛl /

noun

1. Also calledtrust a collusive international association of independent enterprises formed to monopolize production and distribution of a product or service, control prices, etc
2. politics an alliance of parties or interests to further common aims

cartel

1. An association in which producers of a similar or identical product try to obtain a monopoly over the sale of the product.

Notes

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) is a cartel.

Other Words From

• car·telism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartel¹

1550–60; < Middle French < Italian cartello letter of defiance, poster, equivalent to cart ( a ) carte + -ello diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartel¹

C20: from German Kartell, from French, from Italian cartello a written challenge, public notice, diminutive of carta card ¹

Example Sentences

If only more teardrop-tattooed cartel enforcers knew how to code.

From Salon

A cartel war that has engulfed a major city.

From Los Angeles Times

In Guanajuato state, the explosion of two car bombs highlighted the escalation of cartel warfare, with some criminal groups now arming themselves with grenade launchers and drones rigged with explosives.

From Los Angeles Times

Her administration recently deployed hundreds of troops to Sinaloa, in northern Mexico, where a war between rival factions of the state’s namesake cartel is raging.

From Los Angeles Times

One group is loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the 76-year-old cartel co-founder who was recently captured in the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conglomerate
• consortium
• corporation
• gang
• holding company
• mob
• monopoly
• ring
• syndicate