monopoly
Definitions
Exclusive control of the supply of a good or service by one party
垄断；专卖；独占（市场）
A company or group that holds such control
垄断企业；独占集团
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedmono- (one) + -poly (Greek polein, 'to sell') = the right for only one party to sell. With a single seller and no competitors, that party controls the price and the market. Two spelling traps: this -poly is 'sell,' not poly- 'many'; and it is Greek polein, not the Latin polīre 'polish' the slug is named for.
Why It Means This
The famous board game took its name from this idea: you win by buying up everything until no one else can do business. The economic term works the same way — one seller, total control.
Common Collocations
- 1.market monopoly市场垄断
- 2.natural monopoly自然垄断
- 3.break a monopoly打破垄断
- 4.have a monopoly on独占……
Example Sentences
- 1.
The company was accused of running an illegal monopoly on search ads.
- 2.
For decades the state held a monopoly over telephone services.
- 3.
No one has a monopoly on good ideas.