Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

embargo

 
(ĕm-bär') pronunciation
n., pl., -goes.
  1. A government order prohibiting the movement of merchant ships into or out of its ports.
  2. A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation.
  3. A prohibition; a ban: an embargo on criticism.
tr.v., -goed, -go·ing, -goes.
To impose an embargo on.

[Spanish, from embargar, to impede, from Vulgar Latin *imbarricāre, to barricade : Latin in-, in; see en-1 + Vulgar Latin *barricāre, to barricade (from *barrīca, barrel, barrier , from *barra, bar, barrier).]


Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics

has the plural form embargoes.

Previous:emails, email, elusive, illusory
Next:embarrass, embarrassment, embed, emigrant, immigrant, migrant

Legal action by a government or group of governments restricting the departure of vessels or movement of goods from some or all locations to one or more countries. A trade embargo is a prohibition on exports to one or more countries. A strategic embargo restricts only the sale of goods that make a direct and specific contribution to a country's military power; similarly, an oil embargo prohibits only the export of oil. Broad embargoes often allow the export of certain goods (e.g., medicines or foodstuffs) to continue for humanitarian purposes, and most multilateral embargoes include escape clauses that specify a limited set of conditions under which exporters may be exempt from their prohibitions. An embargo is a tool of economic warfare that may be employed for a variety of political purposes, including demonstrating resolve, sending a political signal, retaliating for another country's actions, compelling a country to change its behaviour, deterring it from engaging in undesired activities, and weakening its military capability.

For more information on embargo, visit Britannica.com.

government prohibition against the shipment of certain goods to another country. An embargo is most common during wartime, but is sometimes applied for economic reasons as well. For in stance, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries placed an embargo on the shipment of oil to the West in the early 1970s to pro test Israeli policies and to raise the price of petroleum.

Previous:Emancipation, Elliott Wave Theory
Next:Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) Of, Emergency Fund

n

Definition: prohibition
Antonyms: allowance

n. pl. -oes 1. an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country: an embargo on grain sales | the oil embargo of 1973.

2. an official prohibition on any activity.

3. an order of a state forbidding foreign ships to enter, or any ships to leave, its ports.

v. -oes, -oed

1. (usually be embargoed) impose an official ban on (trade or a country or commodity): the country has been virtually embargoed by most of the noncommunist world.

2. officially ban the publication of: documents of national security importance are routinely embargoed.

3. archaic seize (a ship or goods) for state service.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

embargo (ĕmbär'), prohibition by a country of the departure of ships or certain types of goods from its ports. Instances of confining all domestic ships to port are rare, and the Embargo Act of 1807 is the sole example of this in American history. The detention of foreign vessels has occurred more often, either as an act of reprisal designed to coerce diplomatic redress, or in contemplation of war with the country to which the vessels belonged. Embargoes on goods, however, are far more common. Although an embargo can cripple a nation's economy, the use of an embargo alone has typically failed to achieve the goal its imposition was intended to secure.

The United States has used embargoes for both economic and strategic purposes. An example of the former was the prohibition of gold bullion exports in 1933, while the latter is seen in the embargo placed on certain war materials in 1940. An embargo may also be used as a political device. Thus, in 1912 the president was empowered to forbid the export of munitions to Latin America. The Neutrality Act of 1936 gave the president a similar power with regard to warring nations anywhere.

Embargoes were authorized as a form of sanction by the Covenant of the League of Nations, and were applied against Paraguay in 1934 in the Chaco dispute (see Gran Chaco) with Bolivia, and against Italy for its invasion of Ethiopia (1935-36). Article 41 of the United Nations Charter permits embargoes in cases of military aggression, and during the Korean War, the United Nations called upon its members to refrain from sending arms and strategic materials to territory controlled by the North Koreans and Chinese.

In 1960, the United States imposed an embargo of all goods, excluding food and medicine, on Cuba, and in 1962 the Organization of American States, amid great controversy, established its own Cuban trade embargo (since abandoned). Since the 1970s, economic sanctions of this sort have increasingly been used by the United States and the United Nations against nations that disturb peaceful relations, such as Iraq (imposed in 1990; exemption to sell oil in order to buy food and medicine granted in 1996) or Yugoslavia (imposed in 1992; eased in 1995 with removal tied to compliance with the Dayton Accords; new embargoes imposed by NATO during the Kosovo crisis in 1999); or against nations that have maintained white minority governments, such as Rhodesia (in the 1970s) or South Africa (in the 1980s).


This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A proclamation or order of government, usually issued in time of war or threatened hostilities, prohibiting the departure of ships or goods from some or all ports until further order. Government order prohibiting commercial trade with individuals or businesses of other specified nations. Legal prohibition on commerce.

The temporary or permanent sequestration of the property of individuals for the purposes of a government, e.g., to obtain vessels for the transport of troops, the owners being reimbursed for this forced service.

A governmental restriction on trade for political purposes. The objective is to put pressure on other governments by prohibiting exports to or imports from those countries.

A government order that restricts commerce or exchange with a specified country. An embargo is usually created as a result of unfavorable political or economic circumstances between nations. The restriction looks to isolate the country and create difficulties for its governing body, forcing it to act on the underlying issue.

Investopedia Says:
An embargo will restrict all trade with a country, or aim to reduce the exchange of specific goods. For example, a strategic embargo prevents the exchange of any military goods with a country. A trade embargo will restrict anyone from exporting to the target nation. Because many nations rely on global trade, an embargo is a powerful tool for influencing a nation.

Related Links:
Everyone's talking about globalization, but what is it and why do some oppose it? What Is International Trade?
The WTO sets the global rules of trade. But what exactly does it do and why do so many oppose it? What Is The World Trade Organization?
Chances are you've heard of the IMF. But what does it do, and why is it so controversial? An Introduction To The International Monetary Fund (IMF)


Word Tutor:

embargo

Top
pronunciation

IN BRIEF: Legal prohibition or restriction of foreign commerce or trade.

pronunciation The imposing of an embargo by the United States can negatively impact another country's revenue.

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

AMG AllGame Guide:

Embargo

Top
  • Release Date: 1977
  • Genre: Action
  • Style: Overhead View Action
Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'embargo'

Top
Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to embargo, see:

  See crossword solutions for the clue Embargo.
World trade
A series on Trade
Storck Harbour scene.jpg

An embargo (from the spanish Embargo) is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is imposed. Embargoes are similar to economic sanctions and are generally considered legal barriers to trade, not to be confused with blockades, which are often considered to be acts of war.[1] Embargo may also refer to the practice of blocking fare classes at certain levels, and award availability on airlines. Embargoes are complex in their international meaning. In response to embargoes, an independent economy or autarky often develops in an area subjected to heavy embargo. Effectiveness of embargoes are thus necessarily in direct proportion to the extent and degree of international participation.

Contents

Examples of Embargoes

The Embargo of 1807 was a series of laws passed by the U.S. Congress 1806–1808, during the second term of President Thomas Jefferson. Britain and France were engaged in a major war; the U.S. wanted to remain neutral and trade with both sides, but neither side wanted the other to have the American supplies. The American national-interest goal was to use the new laws to avoid war, punish Britain, and force that country to respect American rights.[2]

One of the most comprehensive attempts at an embargo happened during the Napoleonic Wars. In an attempt to cripple the United Kingdom economically, the Continental System – which forbade European nations from trading with the UK – was created. In practice it was not completely enforceable and was as harmful if not more so to the nations involved than to the British.[3]

The United States imposed an embargo on Cuba on February 7, 1962.[citation needed] Referred to by Cuba as "el bloqueo" (the blockade), the US embargo on Cuba remains one of the longest-standing embargoes. The embargo was embraced by few of the United States' allies and apparently has done little to affect Cuban policies over the years. Nonetheless, while taking some steps to allow limited economic exchanges with Cuba, President Barack Obama recently reaffirmed the policy, stating that without improved human rights and freedoms by Cuba's current government, the embargo remains "in the national interest of the United States."

In effort to punish South Africa for its policies of apartheid, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a voluntary international oil embargo against South Africa on November 20, 1987; that embargo had the support of 130 countries.[4]

List of countries under embargo

Former embargoes

Notes

See also


Translations:

Embargo

Top

Dansk (Danish)
n. - embargo, handelsforbud, handelssanktion, hindring
v. tr. - belægge med embargo, beslaglægge, rekvirere, konfiskere

Nederlands (Dutch)
embargo, uitvoerverbod, handelsverbod, beletsel

Français (French)
n. - (Pol, Comm, Naut, etc) embargo, (fig) interdiction, restriction
v. tr. - instaurer un embargo, (fig) interdire

Deutsch (German)
n. - Embargo, Sperre
v. - sperren

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - εμπάργκο, οικονομικός αποκλεισμός, παρεμπόδιση
v. - (οικον.) επιβάλλω εμπάργκο/οικονομικό αποκλεισμό

Italiano (Italian)
embargo

Português (Portuguese)
n. - embargo (m), proibição (f)
v. - embargar, proibir, confiscar

Русский (Russian)
эмбарго, наложить эмбарго

Español (Spanish)
n. - embargo
v. tr. - embargar, prohibir la entrada o salida de buques o mercancías

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - handelsförbud, beslag, embargo
v. - sätta i handelsförbud

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
封港令, 阻止, 禁运, 禁止出入港口

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 封港令, 阻止, 禁運
v. tr. - 禁止出入港口, 禁運

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 억류, 통상 정지, 금지
v. tr. - 출항 금지를 명하다, 입항 금지를 명하다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 出港禁止, 通商禁止, 制限
v. - 出入港を禁止する, 輸出入を禁止する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) حظر (فعل) يفرض حظرا‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אמברגו, מעצר, הסגר, איסור על כניסה לנמלי מדינה ויציאה מהם, השעייה רשמית של מסחר או פעילות אחרת‬
v. tr. - ‮אמברגו, הטיל אמברגו על, מעצר, הסגר‬


 
 
Related topics:
imbargo
sanction
Quiet Period (finance term)

Related answers:
What was the embargo of 1807? Read answer...
What is an economic embargo? Read answer...
What is the synonym of embargoes? Read answer...

Help us answer these:
Embargo is an example of what?
How importnt is embargo\'s?
What is plural for embargo?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

American Heritage Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
 Fowler's Modern English Usage. Oxford University Press. © 1999, 2004 All rights reserved.  Read more
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 1994-2012 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Barron's Finance & Investment Dictionary. Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms. Copyright © 2010 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Answers Corporation Antonyms by Answers.com. © 1999-present by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.  Read more
Oxford Dictionary of the US Military. The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more
$copyright.smallImage.alttext West's Encyclopedia of American Law. West's Encyclopedia of American Law. Copyright © 1998 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: Economics. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.  Read more
Investopedia Financial Dictionary. Copyright ©2010, Investopedia.com - Owned and Operated by Investopedia US, A Division of ValueClick, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Word Tutor. Copyright © 2004-present by eSpindle Learning, a 501(c) nonprofit organization. All rights reserved.
eSpindle provides personalized spelling and vocabulary tutoring online; sign up free Read more
AMG AllGame Guide. Copyright © 2012 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Game Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Random House Word Menu. © 2010 Write Brothers Inc. Word Menu is a registered trademark of the Estate of Stephen Glazier. Write Brothers Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
 Rhymes. Oxford University Press. © 2006, 2007 All rights reserved.  Read more
Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary. Collins Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary © Anne Bradford, 1986, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008 HarperCollins Publishers All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Embargo Read more
Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.  Read more

Follow us
Facebook Twitter
YouTube

Mentioned in

» More» More