exclusive control of the market supply of a product or service
2.
a.
an enterprise exercising this control
b.
the product or service so controlled
3. law
the exclusive right or privilege granted to a person, company, etc, by the state to purchase, manufacture, use, or sell some commodity or to carry on trade in a specified country or area
4.
exclusive control, possession, or use of something
Derived forms
monopolism (moˈnopolism)
noun
monopolist (moˈnopolist)
noun
monopolistic (moˌnopoˈlistic)
adjective
monopolistically (moˌnopoˈlistically)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin, from Greek monopōlion, from mono- + pōlein to sell
Examples of 'monopolies' in a sentence
monopolies
Centralization was the watchword of the day, the gathering in of overlapping monopolies into a few rapacious hands.
Maclean, Alistair SAN ANDREAS
They want no new competitor to upset the cosy price-fixing and other arrangements underpinning their monopolies.
Gagman, Maurice DOUBTFUL MOTIVES
These are long-term projects, often natural monopolies, that require huge initial investment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Its tentacles have spread out into a series of worrying monopolies.
Mail and Guardian (2010)
Protected media monopolies can become arms of government.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Their dominance, say many critics, is thanks to monopolies, privileges and protectionism.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The immortality of large public-sector monopolies is a given.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There may well be monopolies concerns, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We're not just the product for these digital monopolies.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Government must ensure that markets are not manipulated by monopolies or cartels.