monopoly

[ muh-nop-uh-lee ]

noun

, plural mo·nop·o·lies.

1. exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices. Compare duopoly, oligopoly.
2. an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government.
3. the exclusive possession or control of something.
4. something that is the subject of such control, as a commodity or service.
5. a company or group that has such control.
6. the market condition that exists when there is only one seller.
7. (initial capital letter) a board game in which a player attempts to gain a monopoly of real estate by advancing around the board and purchasing property, acquiring capital by collecting rent from other players whose pieces land on that property.

monopoly

¹

/ məˈnɒpəlɪ /

noun

1. exclusive control of the market supply of a product or service
2. 1. an enterprise exercising this control
   2. the product or service so controlled
3. law the exclusive right or privilege granted to a person, company, etc, by the state to purchase, manufacture, use, or sell some commodity or to carry on trade in a specified country or area
4. exclusive control, possession, or use of something

Monopoly

²

/ məˈnɒpəlɪ /

noun

1. a board game for two to six players who throw dice to advance their tokens around a board, the object being to acquire the property on which their tokens land

monopoly

1. The exclusive control by one company of a service or product.

Derived Forms

• moˈnopolism, noun
• moˌnopoˈlistic, adjective
• moˈnopolist, noun
• moˌnopoˈlistically, adverb

Other Words From

• mo·nopo·loid adjective
• anti·mo·nopo·ly adjective
• premo·nopo·ly noun plural premonopolies adjective
• promo·nopo·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopoly¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin monopōlium, from Greek monopṓlion “right of exclusive sale,” from mono- mono- + pōl(eîn) “to sell” + -ion, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopoly¹

C16: from Late Latin, from Greek monopōlion, from mono- + pōlein to sell

Example Sentences

She has partnerships with eight brands, including Estée Lauder, Google and Monopoly.

From Los Angeles Times

"A category four - it's just so big," he said, taking a break from a game of Monopoly with his two sons and his wife.

From BBC

Inkling asks later as we move our pieces around the Monopoly board.

From Literature

In 1933, he copyrighted the game, Monopoly, as his own invention and began selling it in toy stores and department stores.

From New York Times

A film based on the classic board game Monopoly is preparing to pass go - with Margot Robbie's production company set to produce it.

From BBC

Related Words

• cartel
• holding
• ownership
• patent
• trust