What does embargo mean?
An embargo is an official prohibition, typically imposed by a government or international body, that restricts trade or commercial activity with a particular country, company, or group. The term is most often associated with economic sanctions — such as an arms embargo or an oil embargo — designed to exert political pressure without resorting to military force. A second, distinct sense is common in journalism and publishing: a news embargo prevents reporters from publishing supplied information until a specified date and time, allowing organisations to brief the media in advance of an official announcement. As a verb, 'to embargo' means to impose such a restriction. The word carries a formal, institutional tone and appears frequently in political commentary, international relations, and business reporting. Its connotations are serious and coercive — an embargo is rarely voluntary for those it affects. Etymologically, it derives from the Spanish verb embargar, meaning 'to restrain' or 'to impede', ultimately tracing back to roots connected with barring or seizing ships, which explains its enduring association with maritime trade.
An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country; also, an order preventing the publication of information before a specified time.
"Congress debated whether to impose a full embargo on imports from the country."
Commonly paired with verbs like 'impose', 'lift', 'enforce', or 'violate'.
To impose an official ban on trade with a country, or to restrict the release of information until a given time.
"The administration embargoed all shipments to the port."
Standard transitive verb; past tense 'embargoed', present participle 'embargoing'.
Regular plural following the standard -es pattern for nouns ending in -o after a consonant sound.
"Several European countries imposed embargoes on the export of raw materials."
The word 'embargo' comes from Spanish, literally meaning 'to restrain' — the same root that gave us the phrase 'to embark' on a journey.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of embargo
Embargo comes from the Spanish verb 'embargar', meaning 'to restrain', 'to impede', or 'to seize'. This in turn derives from Vulgar Latin *imbarricare, formed from the prefix 'in-' ('in, upon') and 'barra' ('bar'), giving a literal sense of 'to bar' or 'to obstruct'. The word entered English in the late sixteenth to early seventeenth century through trade contexts, particularly referring to the detention or prohibition of ships and goods. It shares this Latin root 'barra' with English words like 'barrier' and 'embark' (via related Romance-language nautical terminology).
Related word forms
How embargo is actually used
Formal register, most commonly found in political, economic, and journalistic contexts. The verb form ('to embargo') is also standard: e.g., 'Several countries embargoed exports during the crisis.' In journalism, a press embargo specifies a date and time before which a story may not be published.
Easily confused with embargo
'Embargoes' is the plural noun or third-person singular verb form of 'embargo', not a separate word.