Word of the Day

: January 2, 2010

embargo

noun im-BAHR-goh

What It Means

1 : an order of a government prohibiting the departure of commercial ships from its ports

2 : a legal prohibition on commerce

3 : stoppage, impediment; especially : prohibition

embargo in Context

Because of the trade embargo against Cuba, certain items, such as Cuban cigars, are illegal in the United States.

Did You Know?

Embargoes may be put in place for any number of reasons. For instance, a government may place a trade embargo against another country to express its disapproval with that country’s policies. But governments are not the only bodies that can place embargoes. A publisher, for example, could place an embargo on a highly anticipated book to prevent stores from selling it before its official release date. The word "embargo," dating from the late 16th century, derives via Spanish "embargar" from Vulgar Latin "imbarricare," formed from the prefix "in-" and the noun "barra" ("bar").