What does monopolization mean?
Monopolization is the process by which one person, company, or group gains exclusive control over a market, industry, resource, or service. It can result from barriers that keep competitors out, such as restrictive laws, control of essential inputs, mergers, ownership of patents, or strategic pricing. The word is especially common in economics, business, law, and political discussion. In neutral contexts, it names a recognized market structure; in critical contexts, it often implies unfair concentration of power and the suppression of competition. Monopolization differs from monopoly itself: a monopoly is an existing exclusive position, while monopolization describes the act or process of creating or consolidating that position. The term is therefore useful for discussing both the mechanics and the social or economic consequences of concentrated control.
nounMonopolization is the act or process of gaining or exercising exclusive control over a market, industry, resource, or service, especially by preventing competitors from operating.
- The process of establishing or exercising exclusive control over a market, industry, resource, or service.
"The company's rapid expansion led to the monopolization of the regional market."
"The merger led to the monopolization of the regional market."
"Her essay examines the monopolization of essential services by a small group of companies."
The plural is grammatically standard but relatively uncommon.
"The report documented several monopolizations affecting small businesses."
Monopolization traces to Greek roots meaning “to sell alone,” a compact history of how exclusive control is created.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monopolization come from?
Monopolization is an English noun formed from monopoly with the suffix -ization, which indicates an action or process. Monopoly was borrowed through Latin from Greek monopōlion, a word built from monos, meaning “alone,” and pōlein, meaning “to sell.” The resulting word refers specifically to the process of obtaining or exercising exclusive control, while its close relatives monopolist, monopolize, and monopolistic refer to a person, an action, or an adjectival quality associated with such control.
How monopolization is actually used
The term is formal and is especially common in economics, business, law, and political analysis. It is generally neutral when describing an economic process but often has a negative connotation when referring to unfair or excessive concentration of control. The standard US spelling is monopolization; British English also commonly uses monopolisation.
Easily confused with monopolization
A monopoly is an exclusive right or position of control, whereas monopolization is the process of establishing or exercising that control.