embargo
noun [ C ]
COMMERCE, POLITICS uk/ɪmˈbɑːɡəʊ/ usplural embargoesan official order to stop trading with a particular country or in particular goods:
put/place an embargo on sth We should place an embargo on the purchase of any diamonds originating from the region until a review can be carried out.
an embargo against sb/sth He has asked for an end to the arms embargo against his government.
an arms/oil/trade embargo
an economic/international embargo
impose/enforce/tighten an embargo The U.N. Security Council imposed an embargo after the invasion.
lift/end/ease an embargo We should lift the embargo and open up trade opportunities that relate to food and medicines.
break/violate/defy an embargo Ships found to be breaking the embargo are sent to a holding area.
embargo
verb [ T ]
uk/ɪmˈbɑːɡəʊ/ us COMMERCE, POLITICS
to officially stop trade in a particular product or to a particular country:
The US has not embargoed grain exports since 1980, but dwindling supplies and soaring prices are feeding fears it could happen again.