a market situation in which control over the supply of a commodity is held by a small number of producers each of whom is able to influence prices and thus directly affect the position of competitors
Derived forms
oligopolistic (ˌoliˌgopoˈlistic)
adjective
Word origin
C20: from oligo- + Greek pōlein to sell, on the model of monopoly
oligopoly in American English
(ˌɑlɪˈgɑpəli)
nounWord forms: pluralˌoliˈgopolies
control of a commodity or service in a given market by a small number of companies or suppliers