A cartel is an association of similar companies or businesses that have grouped together inorder to prevent competition and to control prices.
[business]
...a drug cartel.
cartel in British English
(kɑːˈtɛl)
noun
1. Also called: trust
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
Word origin
C20: from German Kartell, from French, from Italian cartello a written challenge, public notice, diminutive of cartacard1
cartel in American English
(kɑrˈtɛl)
noun
1.
a written challenge, as to a duel
2.
a written agreement between nations at war, esp. as to the exchange of prisoners
3.
an association of industrialists, business firms, etc. for establishing a national or international monopoly by price fixing, ownership of controlling stock, etc.; trust
4. [oftenC-]
a political bloc in certain European countries
SIMILAR WORDS: moˈnopoly
Word origin
MFr < It cartello, dim. of carta, card1; (sense 3) Ger kartell < Fr cartel
Examples of 'cartel' in a sentence
cartel
The Colombian drug cartels first felt the squeeze.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The daughter of a playboy peer has been found dead in the Philippines after allegedly joining a drugs cartel.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Ah, but the recent rise in the oil price gives cartel members confidence that the pact is working and should discourage them from cheating.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The drug cartels are making a concerted comeback and the police are getting edgy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The notorious cocaine cartels have been attacked and fragmented.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Mexico has been gripped by drug violence as rival cartels fight for control of the lucrative trade.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Colombian special forces blow up an airstrip used by a cocaine cartel to fly drugs out of the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But the cartels simply move production to national parks, where spraying is banned.
The Sun (2007)
Government goes cap in hand to Colombian cocaine cartel.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Mexico's cartels seeking to control cities often target local officials.
The Sun (2016)
In a country ravaged by the drugs trade, cartel gangs control the area.
The Sun (2016)
For decades the neighbourhood has been controlled by drug cartels, with access strictly restricted.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Police said handwritten signs were left with the bodies, a common calling card of the drug cartels.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I wanted to control a worldwide cartel on opera production.
Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since1945 (2003)
It was suggested that the final showdown could take place in Mexico and involve a battle with brutal drugs cartels.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All this happened at a time when the supply of oil was being artificially restricted by the Opec oil cartel.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The family had links to Colombian cocaine cartels and Russian mafia.
The Sun (2007)
Opec: The oil producers cartel has given warning that it may increase oil production this year if prices continue to rise.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
cartel
British English: cartel NOUN
A cartel is an association of similar companies or businesses that have grouped together in order to prevent competition and to control prices.