embargo — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An order by the government prohibiting ships from leaving port.

2. A ban on trade with another country.

   Examples

   Instead he [Jefferson] proposed an embargo, an end to all trade between America and England.

3. A temporary ban on making certain information public.

   Examples

   This copy of the federal budget is under embargo until 2 p.m.

4. A heavy burden or severe constraint on action or expenditure.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   They were delighted with the idea of their mamma having forgiven Louisa, but sorry, she thought, such a public proof of her pardon necessary as that of giving a party; for the sisters well knew how great an embargo it would lay on the purses of Helen and Georgiana;...

Verb

1. To impose an embargo on trading certain goods with another country.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To impose an embargo on a document.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Embargoed until after first reading in Parliament

Noun

1. a government order imposing a trade barrier

   Synonyms

   trade embargotrade stoppage

   Broader terms

   trade barrierimport barrier

Verb

1. ban the publication of (documents), as for security or copyright reasons

   Broader terms

   bancensor

   Examples

   embargoed publications

2. prevent commerce

   Broader terms

   stophaltblockkibosh

   Examples

   The U.S. embargoes Libya