What does cartel mean Meaning and Definition
What does cartel mean
Pronunciation
/ˈkɑːrtəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A group of people or organizations that work together to exclude competition and control the market or industry, often through monopolistic or anti-competitive practices.
Examples
- The oil cartel controlled the global market and set prices.
- The pharmaceutical cartel was accused of price-fixing and anti-competitive practices.
Synonyms
- Monopoly
- Oligopoly
Antonyms
- Open competition
- Free market
Etymology
The word “cartel” comes from the Spanish word “cartel,” meaning “a compact or treaty,” and is derived from the Latin “charta,” meaning “paper” or “document.”
Usage Notes
When using “cartel” in a sentence, it’s essential to distinguish it from other related terms, such as “monopoly” or “oligopoly,” to convey the specific meaning of the term.
Cultural References
The cartel has been featured prominently in popular culture, including in films and TV shows like “Scarface,” “The Godfather,” and “Breaking Bad.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Cartel” is often used in idiomatic phrases, such as “in bed with the cartel,” meaning to be closely associated with or controlled by a powerful organization.
Related Words or Phrases
- Monopoly
- Oligopoly
- Free market
- Antitrust
Collocations
- Cartel dominates the market
- Cartel controls the supply
- Cartel artificially inflates prices
Frequency of Use
According to corpus analysis, “cartel” is commonly used in business and economic contexts, particularly in discussions of market competition and regulation.
Common Misspellings
- Carrel
- Carrelle