Embargo: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically refers to a government order that restricts commerce or exchange with a specific country or the exchange of specific goods.

• The government imposed an arms embargo on the war-torn country.
• Due to the embargo, importing luxury cars became nearly impossible.

A general term for any prohibition or restriction, often used in legal, social, or organizational rules.

• Smoking is banned in public places.
• The school imposed a ban on cellphones during class hours.

Generally refers to an act of surrounding a place, such as a port, to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving. Often used in a military or political context.

• The navy set up a blockade to stop the enemy from receiving supplies.
• During the blockade, the city faced severe food shortages.

Refers to the action of forbidding something by law, typically used historically in the context of alcohol, or more broadly for legal restrictions.

• The Prohibition era in the United States saw a nationwide ban on the production and sale of alcohol.
• There is a strict prohibition on hunting endangered species.

An embargo is a government order that restricts commerce or exchange with a specified country or the exchange of specific goods. It is often used in international relations and politics to exert pressure on a nation.

• The United Nations imposed an embargo on arms sales to the conflict region
• The trade embargo lasted for over a decade

A ban is a formal prohibition or restriction. It can be applied in various contexts, such as law, sports, or social regulations. It generally has a broad application and can refer to any official prohibition.

• The government implemented a ban on smoking in public places
• There is a ban on using electronic devices during takeoff and landing

A blockade refers to an act of war where an enemy's ports are isolated by naval forces to prevent the passage of people, goods, or information. It has a strong military connotation and is often associated with wartime strategies.

• The naval blockade was aimed at cutting off supplies to the enemy forces
• During the war, the city was under blockade for several months

To prohibit means to formally forbid something by law, rule, or other authority. It is a general term used in legal, organizational, or social contexts to deny permission for certain actions or behaviors.

• The school prohibits the use of mobile phones during class hours
• New regulations prohibit the use of certain chemicals in food production