English Explanatory Dictionary

oligopoly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An economic condition in which a small number of sellers exert control over the market of a commodity.

Pronunciation

/ɒlɪˈɡɒpəli/ /ɒlɪˈɡɒpli/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-oligopoly.wav /ˌɑləˈɡɑpəli/ /ˌoʊ-/

Word forms

oligopoly oligopolies

Etymology

PIE word *h₃ligos From oligo- (prefix meaning ‘few; several’) + -poly (suffix meaning ‘pertaining to the number of sellers in a market’), by analogy with monopoly.

Related words

oligarchy market power price gouging

Derived words

oligopolic oligopolist oligopolistic oligopolistically oligopolize
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