monopsony

[ muh-nop-suh-nee ]

noun

, plural mo·nop·so·nies.

1. the market condition that exists when there is one buyer.

monopsony

/ məˈnɒpsənɪ /

noun

1. a situation in which the entire market demand for a product or service consists of only one buyer

Derived Forms

• moˌnopsoˈnistic, adjective

Other Words From

• mo·nopso·nist noun
• mo·nopso·nistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopsony¹

First recorded in 1930–35; mon- + Greek opsōnía “shopping, purchase of provisions”

Word History and Origins

Origin of monopsony¹

C20: mono- + Greek opsōnia purchase, from opsōnein to buy

Example Sentences

A monopsony is a market situation in which there is only one buyer in a market.

From Seattle Times

But what is new is a monopsony case focused on the highest-paid sellers.

From Salon

The trial was not about whether the deal would create a monopoly, but about whether it would lead to a monopsony, or too much control over suppliers — in this case, top-selling writers.

From New York Times

If you sell salami, and there is only one sandwich shop around to buy it, that’s a monopsony.

From Washington Post

The Justice Department says this merger would make for too much consolidation in the publishing industry, creating what’s called a monopsony.

From New York Times